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Plymouth  Rocks; 


ORIGIN,   CHARACTERISTICS, 

EEQUIREMENTS,  ETC., 

WITH 

SPECIAL   REFERENCE 


IMPROVED    STRAIN 


BY  F.  H.  CORBIN. 


HARTFORD: 

PRESS  OF  THE  CASE,  LOCKWOOD  &  BRAINARD  COMPANY. 

1879. 


436.  r 

Copyrighted. 

1879. 


CONTENTS 


Preface,  .... 

The  Poultry  Business.    . 

Original  Plymouth  Rocks, 

Origin  of  Plymouth  Rocks,    . 

Improved  Plymouth  Rocks,   . 

Excellences  of  Plymouth  Rocks, 

Hardiness,     .... 

Early  Maturity, 

Productiveness, 

Table  Quality,        .         . 

Fanciers,        .... 

Fanciers'  Mating  and  Breeding, 

In-and-in  Breeding, 

Mating  and  Breeding  for  Utility, 

Management  and  Care  of  Stock, 

Warmth, 

Ventilation,   . 

Range, 

Quarters, 

Poultry-House, 

Food  for  Adult  Fowls,  . 

Care  of  Breeding  Stock. 

Incubation,    . 

Care  of  Chicks, 

Food  for  Chicks,    . 

Fattening  of  Fowls, 


ft7(*^9 


PREFACE. 


In  offering  the  following  work  to  the  public  for  its 
perusal,  we  can  but  hope  that  the  truths  contained  in 
its  pages  will  be  of  some  service  to  the  beginner  and 
amateur.  We  do  not  expect  the  lireeder  of  large  and 
varied  experience  to  find  many  new  facts  presented 
for  his  consideration ;  but  if  it  shall,  to  any  extent, 
aid  the  beginner  to  escape  the  pitfalls  and  difficulties 
which  we,  in  common  with  others,  have  experienced, 
we  shall  be  amply  repaid  for  our  labor. 

There  has  been  much  discussion  upon  the  subject 
here  presented,  and  not  a  little  difference  of  opinion, 
even  among  breeders  of  first-class  birds ;  l^ut  we  be- 
lieve there  has  been  no  considerable  work  written, 
although  the  need  of  one  has  been  felt  for  some  time. 

Whether  this  treatise  supplies  the  need  or  not  is 
for  the  public  generally,  and  especially  those  inter- 
ested in  breeding  this  justly  popular  fowl,  to  deter- 
mine. 


THE  POULTRY  BUSINESS. 


For  quite  a  number  of  years  the  interest  in  the 
raising  of  fowls  has  been  steadily  increasing,  and 
those  who,  twenty  years  since,  prophesied  that  the 
business  was  being  overdone,  and  must,  inevitably, 
soon  collapse,  have  been  perfectly  amazed  to  see  the 
rapid  strides  with  which  it  has  advanced,  until  to-day 
it  forms  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  this  country. 

The  amount  of  capital  invested  in  this  pursuit  is 
simply  enormous,  and  yet  it  is  constantly  increasing. 
Pass  through  the  country  in  any  direction,  and  at 
nearly  every  habitation  you  will  find  more  or  fewer 
fowls  of  some  kind,  while  here  and  there  may  be 
seen  the  more  pretentious  buildings  of  the  fancier  or 
amateur. 

The  reason  for  this  is  obvious.  Men  will  do,  as  a 
rule,  whatever  it  pays  them  best  to  do,  and  this  of 
itself  is  a  tacit  acknowledgment  of  the  value  of  this 
pursuit. 

Let  us  briefly  examine  the  annual  value  of  some  of 
the  other  leading  industries  of  this  country,  and  com- 
pare the  result  with  this  branch.  This  will  enable  us 
to  obtain  an  approximate  idea,  at  least,  of  their  rela- 
tive importance. 
1* 


6 


The  Report  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for 
the  year  1877  gives  the  total  cash  values  of  several 
products  as  follows  :  Corn,  four  hundred  and  eighty 
million  dollars  plus  ($480,643,400):  wheat,  three 
hundred  and  ninety-four  million  dollars  plus  (|394,- 
675,779) ;  hay,  two  hundred  and  seventy-one  million 
dollars  plus  (1271,934,950)  ;  oats,  one  hundred  and 
eighteen  million  dollars  plus  (1118,666,550)  ;  and 
potatoes,  only  seventy-six  million  dollars  plus  (i76,- 
249,500). 

It  is,  of  course,  impossible  to  give  the  exact  value 
of  the  poultry  business,  but  a  sufficiently  accurate 
estimate  may  be  made. 

The  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  United  States 
will  not  vary  far  from  forty-five  millions  (45,000,000). 
Now,  suppose  that  each  one,  on  the  average,  consumes 
directly  or  indirectly  five  eggs  per  week  (which  is  a 
small  allowance).  Estimating  on  this  basis,  we  shall 
find  that  the  production  of  eggs  amounts  to  nine  hund- 
red and  seventy-five  million  (975,000,000)  dozen, 
which,  at  the  low  price  of  twenty  cents  per  dozen, 
yields  a  total  value  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-five 
million  dollars  (1195,000,000)  for  eggs  alone. 

Each  inhabitant  will  also  consume,  on  the  average, 
about  five  dollars'  worth  of  dressed  poultry  during 
the  year,  which  will  amount  to  the  respectable  sum 
of  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  million  dollars  (1225,- 


000,000)  for  all.  Add  the  two  amounts  together  and 
we  find  the  total  value  of  the  poultry  business  to 
be  four  hundred  and  twenty  million  dollars  (1420,- 
000,000). 

This,  of  course,  does  not  include  the  foreign  or 
export  trade,  which,  if  added,  would  materially  in- 
crease its  value. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  value  of  the  poultry 
business  is  greater  than  that  of  either  of  the  products 
named,  with  the  exception  of  corn,  and,  also,  that  if 
the  export  trade  were  added  it  would  closely  approach 
that  in  value. 

This  business,  however,  like  any  other,  requires  to 
be  conducted  upon  fixed  principles,  and  demands  both 
skill  and  attention  in  order  to  render  it  remunerative. 

The  greatest  mistake  made  by  beginners  is  in  sup- 
posing that  they  can  engage  in  poultry-raising  with 
nothing  more  than  a  theoretical  knowledge  of  the 
business,  and  yet  obtain  exactly  the  same  results,  and 
that,  too,  witli  a  large  number  of  fowls,  that  a  breeder 
of  many  years  of  experience  does. 

Any  one  who  should  engage  in  extensive  mercantile 
pursuits  with  no  practical  knowledge  of  the  branch  to 
which  he  proposed  to  devote  himself,  would  be  con- 
sidered but  little  better  than  a  lunatic ;  and  yet  this  is 
precisely  what  many  have  done,  and  are  still  doing, 
in  this  business. 


8 


A  few  failures  must  be  expected  at  the  start;  it 
cannot  be  otherwise ;  but  with  careful  attention  to 
details  there  need  not  be  many. 

Every  beginner  should  make  choice  of  some  one 
breed,  and,  before  adding  others  to  his  yard,  devote 
himself  to  this  until  he  has  made  it  a  success  or 
proved  it  a  failure.  He  can  then  use  his  acquired 
skill  to  advantage. 

It  is  with  a  hope  of  helping  him,  in  some  measure, 
in  making  an  intelligent  choice  of  such  stock  or  breed, 
and  then  of  aiding  him  in  breeding  and  caring  for 
the  same,  that  the  following  pages  are  written. 


ORIGINAL  PLYMOUTH  EOCKS. 

Something  like  thirty  years  since,  a  cross-breed 
fowl  was  originated  by  Dr.  J.  C.  Bennett,  then  in  the 
height  of  his  popularity.  A  few  of  this  cross-breed 
were  exhibited  at  Boston  in  1849.  To  this  breed.  Dr. 
Bennett  gave  the  name  of  Plymouth  Rocks,  for  what 
reason  it  is  impossible  to  see,  as  the  severe  austerity 
of  the  early  settlers  of  that  region  have  little  resem- 
blance to  this  gay,  parti-colored  fowl,  whose  plumage 
was  as  varied  as  Joseph's  coat,  and  as  changeable  as 
a  chameleon. 

The  first  cross  seems  to  have  been  quite  a  success, 
and  to  have  caused  considerable  expectations  ;  but  the 
subsequent  breeding  of  its  progeny  did  not,  apparently, 
fulfil  these  expectations ;  probably  because  it  was 
found  to  be  impossible  to  permanently  fix  its  charac- 
teristics, the  tendency  to  revert  being  strengthened 
by  mixing  the  blood  of  so  many  different  breeds. 

Taking  Dr.  Bennett  as  authority  for  the  composition 
of  this  breed  (as  appears  both  in  his  book  and  in  the 
Boston  Cultivator  of  Aug.  25,  1849),  we  find  it  was 
a  cross  of  a  Cochin  China  cockerel  with  a  hen,  herself 
a  cross  between  the  fawn-colored  Dorking,  the  great 
Malay,  and  the  Wild  India. 


10 


The  Doctor  adds  :  "  The  Plymouth  Rock  fowl,  then, 
is,  in  reality,  one-half  Cochin  China,  one-fourth  fawn- 
colored  Dorking,  one-eighth  great  Malay,  and  one- 
eighth  Wild  India.  The  pullets  commenced  laying 
when  five  months  old,  proving  themselves  very  supe- 
rior layers.  Their  eggs  are  of  a  medium  size,  rich, 
and  reddish-yellow  in  color.  Their  plumage  is  rich 
and  variegated  ;  the  cockerels  usually  red  or  speckled, 
and  the  pullets  darkish-brown.  They  are  very  fine- 
fleshed,  and  easily  made  fit  for  the  table.  Their  legs 
are  very  large,  and  usually  blue  orgreen,  but  occasion- 
ally yellow  or  white,  generally  having  five  toes  upon 
each  foot." 

This  breed  continued  to  exist  for  several  years,  and 
quite  a  number  of  fanciers  became  interested  in  its 
success;  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  cause  it  to 
breed  true  or  to  transmit  its  qualities  with  any  degree 
of  certainty,  and  therefore  it  gradually  gave  place  to 
other  and  more  reliable  breeds. 


OEIGIN  OF  PLYMOUTH  ROCKS, 


The  breed  of  so-called  Plymouth  Rocks  mentioned 
in  the  previous  chapter  is  now  wholly  extinct,  and  is, 
practically,  of  no  account,  except  that  the  name  leads 
to  some  confusion  where  the  facts  are  not  known. 
For  this  reason  a  short  account  was  deemed  necessary 
in  order  that  the  reader  might  clearly  understand  the 
difference  between  those  and  the  Plymouth  Rocks  of 
the  present  day.  It  was  not  until  several  years  after 
the  practical  disappearance  of  the  former  breed  that 
the  latter  sprang  into  existence ;  and  the  facts  con- 
cerning its  origin  caused  an  amount  of  controversy 
almost  unprecedented  in  the  history  of  fowls. 

The  theories  advanced  were  various,  and  were  urged 
pro  and  con  by  many  of  the  leading  fanciers  of  the 
country.  It  is  a  true  saying,  and  one  well  worthy  of 
acceptation,  "  That  all  men  like  to  father  a  success 
and  disown  a  failure."  It  proved  to  be  true  indeed 
in  this  case,  for  while  little  was  heard  or  written  in 
regard  to  them  previous  to  their  being  exhibited  in 
1869,  and  while,  in  fact,  for  some  years  afterwards, 
they  were  but  little  known  except  to  a  few  prominent 
breeders,  and  found  only  in  their  yards,  no  sooner 
was  it  generally  understood  that  the  most  successful 


12 


cross  of  the  century  had  been  made,  and  that  its  char- 
acteristics had  been  sufficiently  fixed  to  allow  its  being 
admitted  into  the  Standard  as  a  fixed  and  permanent 
breed,  than  numbers  of  articles  from  fanciers  of  well- 
known  ability  began  to  appear  in  poultry  papers  and 
journals  in  regard  to  them.  Most  of  these  writers 
wielded  a  trenchant  pen,  and,  for  a  time,  the  fate  of 
the  subject-matter  seemed  in  doubt.  The  fact  that 
there  were  apparently  several  different  origins  only 
confounded  the  discussion  and  added  fuel  to  the 
flames. 

The  Upham-Ramsdell  controversy  was  conducted 
with  both  vigor  and  bitterness.  The  conceded  ability 
of  these  gentlemen,  together  with  their  readiness  of 
pen,  only  magnified  the  contest,  diffused  a  knowledge 
of  the  question  among  the  poultry  fraternity,  and 
caused  others  to  take  up  the  pen,  both  as  principals 
and  advocates.  After  a  time,  it  began  to  be  uncertain 
whether  any  such  breed  ever  existed,  and  if  there 
was  any,  wiiere  or  from  whence  it  sprang. 

Another  question  intensified  the  controversy.  While 
all  were  agreed  as  to  the  Plymouth  Rock  being  a 
"  cross  "-breed,  scarcely  any  two  were  agreed  as  to 
what  the  cross  was.  The  Black  Java,  Cochin,  Domi- 
nique, Dunghill,  Gray  Chittagongs,  and  English  Gray 
Dorkings,  were  all  named  as  entering  into  the  cross. 

This  disputation  itself   showed   that   the   fanciers 


13 


considered  the  Plymouth  Rock  well  worthy  of  atten- 
tion, and  also  that  it  was  advancing  with  rapid  strides 
to  the  first  place  in  the  estimation  of  breeders  gen- 
erally. 

As  before  intimated,  there  were  several  different 
suspected  origins  to  this  breed,  and  some  two  or  three, 
perhaps  worthy  of  mention.  The  most  reliable  one, 
however,  in  the  estimation  of  breeders  of  the  present 
day,  was  the  cross  of  a  single-combed  Dominique  cock 
with  Black  Java  hens.  This  may  not  be  admitted  by 
all,  but  it  has  the  best  authority,  and  is  now  generally 
acquiesced  in. 


IMPROVED  PLYMOUTH  EOCKS. 


There  has  probably  never  been  a  breed  of  fowls 
that  has  given  rise  to  a  greater  range  of  discussion, 
and  that,  too,  in  regard  to  the  minutest  details,  than 
the  Plymouth  Rock. 

We  have  seen  that  the  halo  of  its  early  prosperity 
had  scarcely  covered  it  when  the  honor  of  originating 
it  was  hotly  contested  by  foemen  worthy  of  their 
steel ;  or,  perhaps,  it  would  be  more  in  accordance 
with  facts  to  say,  foemen  worthy  of  their  quills. 

Hardly  had  the  heat  of  this  literary  contest  sub- 
sided when  the  question  what  the  Plymouth  Rock 
really  was  begun  to  be  agitated.  The  question  now 
was,  not  "  What  was  the  cross?  '•  but,  "What  is  the 
breed  ?  "  These  two  questions,  being  similar  to  each 
other  and  of  a  kindred  nature,  are  frequently  con- 
founded. They  are,  however,  entirely  distinct;  the 
first,  viz.,  "What  was  the  cross?"  dealing  with  the 
elements  procuring  a  certain  result ;  and  the  second, 
viz.,  "  What  is  the  breed?"  dealing  with  the  result 
already  produced. 

Writers  of  greater  or  less  note,  some  of  national 
reputation,  took  up  this  latter  question  ;  a  portion  of 
whom,  by  substituting  cause  for  effect,  endeavored  to 


17 

prove  that  it  was  only  a  modified  form  of  some  other 
breed,  forgetting,  in  their  haste,  that  however  much  it 
might  resemble  others  in  certain  points  or  peculiari- 
ties, still  it  was  a  distinct  breed  with  a  form,  shape, 
comb,  color,  and  marking,  peculiar  to  itself  and  recog- 
nized as  such  by  the  Standard  ;  and  that  the  only  way 
to  change  or  modify  any  of  its  peculiarities  was  by 
improvement,  to  which  all  breeds  are  susceptible. 

Considerable  dissatisfaction  having  arisen  in  regard 
to  the  shape,  the  writer  was  induced  to  try  a  series 
of  experiments  for  the  purpose  of  modifying  this  if 
possible.  After  repeated  failures,  he  succeeded  in 
fixing  permanently  upon  his  strain  what  he  considers 
the  true  Plymouth  Rock  shape,  or  rather  one  peculiar 
to  itself. 

This  partakes  mucli  more  of  the  Dorking  than  of 
the  Cochin,  being  deeper  and  longer  than  the  latter. 
An  examination  of  the  fowls  themselves  shows,  at 
once,  their  manifest  superiority. 

The  following  editorial  from  the  American  Agricul- 
turist of  Dec,  1877,  gives  something  of  an  idea  as  to 
the  estimation  in  which  they  are  held  by  first-class 
judges  :  "  First  among  the  good  qualities  of  a  fowl  is 
size.  This  the  Plymouth  Rocks  have  in  an  unusual 
degree.  There  are  many  excellent  breeds  of  poultry 
which  are  all  that  can  be  desired,  except  as  to  size, 
and  the  lack  of  this  is  fatal  to  their  popularity;  for, 


18 


after  all,  profit  is  the  chief  object  with  most  people 
in  choosing  a  kind  of  fowl  to  keep.  Hardiness  of 
constitution,  vigor,  pleasing  form,  handsome  and 
attractive  plumage,  and  prolific  production  of  eggs 
are  all  very  desirable  qualities  in  fowls,  and  these  all 
belong  to  this  breed.  It  will  probably  be  noticed 
that  the  birds  pictured  in  our  illustration  are  remark- 
ably heavy-bodied.  This  is  a  peculiarity  which  be- 
longs in  an  especial  degree  to  a  strain  bred  by  Mr. 
F.  H.  Corbin  of  Newington,  Conn."  In  the  case 
of  the  birds  here  represented,  they  come  fully  up  to 
the  accepted  Standard  of  Excellence  of  American 
breeders  and  meet  it  in  every  respect.  The  form  of 
these  birds  is  therefore  nearly  perfect.  The  Country, 
an  English  paper,  contains  the  following  article  :  "An 
American  contemporary  informs  us  that  the  Improved 
Plymouth  Rock  fowls  originated  with  F.  H.  Corbin  of 
Newington,  Conn.  This  strain  reproduces  itself  true 
to  feather  and  form.  The  form  is  peculiar,  being 
plump  in  tlie  breast  and  square  as  to  the  body,  and  is 
very  much  better  than  the  original  American  Domi- 
nique, which  was  a  smaller  bird.  The  Improved  Ply- 
mouth Rock  is  one  of  the  best  breeds  for  eggs  and 
the  table,  as  it  combines  the  fleshy  body  of  the  Asiatic 
fowls  with  productiveness  in  eggs  of  the  Leghorn. 
The  hen  is  a  good  mother,  and,  what  is  unusual,  the 
cock  is  a  remarkably  good  foster-parent  to  the  young 
chicks." 


19 

In  regard  to  this  improvement,  the  American  Poul- 
try Yard  editorially  says:  "Mr.  Corbin  once  ex- 
pressed to  us  his  preference  for  a  long,  square-bodied 
fowl  in.  opposition  to  a  tall,  or  a  triangular,  or  Cochin- 
shaped  bird,  and  signified  to  us  his  intention  to  breed 
to  his  ideal  type.  On  the  occasion  of  a  quite  recent 
visit  to  his  fine  flock,  we  remarked  that  he  had  some 
of  the  most  decidedly  Dorking-shaped  birds  that  we 
ever  saw  of  that  breed.  Not  that  we  mean  that  they 
were  anything  other  than  true  Plymouth  Rocks-  in 
outline,  or  that  they  were  shaped  exactly  like  Dorkings, 
but  they  suggested  the  Dorking  type.  Mr.  Corbin 
claims  that  his  efforts  have  improved  the  breed,  and 
we  see  no  reason  to  doubt  itJ" 


2* 


EXCELLENCES  OF  PLYMOUTH  EOCKS, 
HARDINESS. 


The  Plymouth  Rock  is  one  of  the  most,  if  not  the 
most,  popular  breeds  of  the  present  day,  and  the 
elements  of  its  popularity  are  such  that  its  perma- 
nency seems  to  be  assured.  It  combines  within  itself 
all  of  the  essential  properties  that  contribute  to  make 
a  breed  preeminent,  and  which  are  justly  sought,  by 
both  the  fancier  and  the  farmer. 

First  of  all,  it  is  a  very  hardy  and  vigorous  fowl. 
There  can  be  no  question  on  this  point.  Scores  of 
letters  from  amateurs  in  all  parts  of  the  country  tes- 
tify as  to  this  fact,  while  the  experience  of  the  best 
breeders  also  shows  that  there  is  not  a  more  hardy 
fowl  bred,  or  one  that  will  succeed  better,  even  under 
neglect  and  ill  usage. 

Hardiness  is  generally  understood  to  mean  health, 
strength,  and  vigor  ;  together  with  a  constitution  able 
to  resist  disease.  This,  of  course,  is  a  secondary 
meaning  of  the  word,  but  is  the  one  now  generally 
accepted,  certainly  in  the  breeding  and  raising  of 
stock. 


21 


The  Asiatics  have  always  borne  the  palm  for  hardy 
and  vigorous  constitutions.  That  they  possess  these 
qualities  in  an  eminent  degree,  all  will  admit.  But 
where  they  are  bred  in  connection  with  Plymouth 
Rocks,  so  that  they  may  be  compared  under  the  same 
circumstances,  it  will  be  found  that  the  latter  breed  is 
fully  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  breed  in  existence 
in  point  of  hardiness. 

This  is  a  very  important  consideration,  and  one 
that  it  is  impossible  to  overestimate.  Without  it  we 
can  do  comparatively  little.  Our  winters  are  so  cold, 
and  the  temperature  so  liable  to  change,  that  a  breed 
possessing  a  weak  or  delicate  constitution  had  better 
be  let  severely  alone  by  the  ordinary  poultry-breeder ; 
as  there  will  nothing  but  failure  and  disappointment 
follow  its  breeding. 

Those  who  have  all  the  conveniences  of  the  fancier 
may  succeed  measurably  well  in  breeding  from  stock 
lacking  in  hardiness ;  but  the  class  of  men  breeding 
and  raising  most  of  the  fowls  in  this  country  should 
never  touch  such  stock.  We  would  not  be  understood 
now  as  advocating  this  quality  in  order  that  the  fowls 
may  be  neglected,  for  that  is  never  advantageous ;  but 
only  to  show  that  the  Plymouth  Rock  wdll  measurably 
succeed  in  spite  of  it.  Their  hardiness,  thrift,  vigor, 
and  alertness,  all  combine  to  render  them  very  active 
foragers,  and  thus  on  good  runs  they  are  enabled  to 


22 


procure  a  great  part  of  their  food,  and  that  of  the  kind 
and  quaUty  best  suited  to  their  needs. 

This  inures  to  the  benefit  of  the  breeder  in  several 
ways.  It  conduces  to  the  general  health  of  the  fowl 
and  prevents  disease,  which  is  far  better  than  any  sys- 
tem of  cure,  and  also  diminislies  largely  the  cost  of 
feeding,  which  is  a  very  great  desideratum,  as  it  de- 
termines, to  a  certain  extent,  the  amount  of  profits  in 
poultry-raising  ;  or,  at  least,  largely  increases  them. 


EARLY  MATUEITY. 


Early  maturity  is  another  attribute  which  any  breed 
of  fowls  must  possess,  if  it  would  rank  high  in  the 
breeder's  estimation  ;  and  here  it  is  that  the  Plymouth 
Rock  stands  without  a  rival.  Not  that  it  matures 
earlier  than  any  other  breed  ;  for  some  of  the  smaller 
ones  may  equal  it,  simply  taking  weeks  and  months 
into  account.  It  will,  however,  produce  more  pounds 
of  flesh,  well  laid  on,  in  a  given  space  of  time,  than 
any  other  fowl. 

The  Asiatic  will,  perhaps,  produce  nearly  as  many 
pounds  weight,  but  has  so  large  and  bony  a  frame 
that  it  is  in  a  most  undesirable  condition  for  market 
until  fully  matured,  which  is  fatal  to  its  popularity  in 
this  respect ;  while  the  Plymouth  Rock  always  pre- 
sents a  fine  appearance,  when  well  fed,  and  is  fit  for 
broiling  at  the  age  of  three  months. 

A  large  fowl,  maturing  in  the  early  fall,  and  ready 
for  market  before  extensive  shipments  are  made  from 
the  West  and  interior  sections,  is  very  desirable  for  a 
number  of  reasons,  and,  other  things  being  equal,  will 
always  remain  the  popular  breed.  The  cost  of  grain 
is  much  higher  here  than  at  the  West,  and  the  expense 
of  transportation  is  greater  in   its  natural  condition 


24 


than  after  being  transformed  into  poultry.  We  must, 
therefore,  fit  our  fowls  for  market  before  the  arrival 
of  theirs,  in  order  to  secure  the  greatest  amount  of 
profit.  This  operates  to  tlie  advantage  of  all  con- 
cerned, as  the  exhaustion  of  our  home  supply  creates 
a  demand  for  western  poultry  at  the  proper  season. 

A  strong  competition  is  inevitably  fatal  to  the 
profits  of  almost  any  business  ;  and  poultry-raising  is 
no  exception  to  the  rule. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  also,  by  the  reader, 
that  the  cost  of  producing  poultry  for  market  purposes 
is  in  inverse  ratio  to  the  time  consumed  in  producing 
it.  The  cost  of  simply  keeping  fowls  or  other  stock 
and  supplying  their  wants  will  equal  a  certain  amount 
in  value.  Therefore,  where  flesh  is  the  object  sought, 
the  stock  must  sufficiently  increase  in  size  or  flesh  to 
meet  this  cost,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  actual 
loss.  Now  the  secret  of  profit  in  raising  fowls  for  this 
purpose  consists  in  obtaining  a  greater  increase  of 
weight  than  merely  sufficient  to  pay  the  cost  of  keep- 
ing, and  will  be  in  direct  proportion  to  the  extent  the 
breeder  is  enabled  to  do  this.  To  illustrate  :  Suppose 
that  B  lias  a  pen  of  Plymouth  Rocks  consisting  of 
twelve  cockerels  bred  for  market,  and  costing  him 
81.50  per  month  for  feed.  Now,  estimating  poultry  at 
twenty  cent^  per  pound,  those  cockerels  must  increase 
at  the  rate  of  seven  and  one-half  pounds  per  month, 


25 


in  order  that  B  may  lose  nothing.  If  they  do  less 
than  that,  he  makes  an  actual  loss.  If,  on  the  other 
hand,  however,  they  increase  at  the  rate  of  fifteen 
pounds  per  month,  he  makes  a  clear  profit  of  one 
hundred  per  cent. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  time  consumed  in  pre- 
paring fowls  for  market  is  an  important  factor  to  be 
considered  in  determining  what  breed  to  keep,  and  in 
estimating  the  profit  to  be  derived  from  them. 

Thus  far  we  have  discussed  the  flesh-forming  prop- 
erties of  this  fowl ;  but  there  is  another  point  worthy 
of  notice.  Pullets  will  begin  to  lay,  on  the  average, 
at  the  age  of  six  months,  provided  they  have  anything 
like  proper  care  and  attention.  Many  will  lay  at  an 
earlier  age,  but  the  average  will  be  as  above  stated. 

Now,  if  chickens  are  hatched  in  March  or  April, 
as  they  should  be,  they  will  be  all  ready  to  give  us  a 
good  supply  of  eggs  before  November  1st,  when  most 
of  the  other  breeds  begin  to  fail. 

Here  again  is  a  point  where  their  hardy  and  vigor- 
ous constitution  is  of  paramount  importance.  Most 
breeds,  other  than  the  Asiatics,  are  so  much  affected 
by  the  cold,  inclement  weather  of  this  season,  that  it 
is  useless  to  expect  them  to  give  us  a  plentiful,  or 
even  a  fair  number  of  eggs,  unless  artificial  heat  is 
used  to  raise  the  temperature  sufficiently  high ;  and 
even  then  the  attempt  is  usually  a  partial  failure. 


26 

But  give  the  Plymouth  Rock  good  care  and  a  suffi- 
cient supply  of  varied  food,  and  you  will  find  no 
trouble  in  having  an  abundance  of  eggs  all  through 
the  winter  months.  This  in  itself  is  a  great  desid- 
eratum ;  as  one  egg  at  this  time  is  worth  two  in  tlie 
warm  season. 

We  have  the  statement  of  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Bates, 
that  his  Plymouth  Rock  pullets,  in  1878,  laid  at  the 
age  of  four  and  one-half  months.  They  also  averaged 
two  hundred  and  twenty-five  eggs  each  during  the 
following  year ;  and  one  of  them  laid  seven  eggs  in 
four  days ;  that  is  to  say,  three  out  of  the  four  eggs 
had  double  yelks. 

As  we  know  the  gentleman  in  e]uestion  to  be  per- 
fectly reliable  in  all  matters,  we  can  vouch  for  the  ac- 
curacy of  this  statement. 

In  1878,  J.  S.  Pollock  had  five  Plymouth  Rock 
pullets  which  laid  before  the  age  of  four  months,  viz.  : 
one  at  the  age  of  three  months  and  twenty  days ;  a 
second  at  three  months  and  twenty-three  days ;  a 
third  at  three  months  and  twenty-seven  days  ;  while 
the  others  laid  at  the  age  of  three  months  and  twenty- 
eight  days. 


PRODUCTIVENESS. 


Another  excellent  characteristic  is  productiveness  ; 
and  any  one  who  has  bred  and  kept  Plymouth  Rocks 
will  readily  concede  that  they  possess  this  in  an  extra- 
ordinary degree.  It  is  true  that  some  writers  claim 
the  palm  as  layers  for  the  Leghorns,  and  write  eulo- 
gistic works  by  the  score  to  prove  their  superiority 
over  any  other  breed. 

That  they  are  fine  layers,  and  have  few  equals  in 
this  respect,  is  certainly  true  ;  but  with  the  same  care 
and  attention  the  Plymouth  Rock  will  lay  fully  as 
many,  if  not  more,  eggs  during  the  year  than  the 
Leghorn.  Both  were  bred  in  our  yards  for  years. 
Many  and  varied  experiments  were  made  as  to  this 
very  point,  and  the  result  invariably  showed  that  the 
Plymouth  Rock  was  the  more  productive. 

The  value  of  the  eggs  from  the  latter  breed  was 

found  to  be  far  greater  than  the  former,  from  the  fact 

that  a  great  part  of  their  eggs  were  laid  in  winter 

when  eggs  were  scarce,  and  brought  a  good  price,  in 

fact  nearly  double  the  price  obtained  in  summer.     In 

regard  to  the  number  of  eggs  annually  laid  by  each 

hen,  the  best  authorities  agree  that,  while  with  small 

flocks  and  good  care  vou  may  average  one  hundred 
3 


28 


and  seventy-five  per  hen,  still,  with  an  ordinarily 
large  number  of  fowls  it  would  be  useless  to  expect 
more  than  about  one  hundred  and  fifty.  That  will  be 
found  to  be  about  the  average  number  laid  by  good, 
fair  Plymouth  Rock  hens  or  pullets  ;  although  fre- 
quently they  will  lay  a  much  larger  number. 

In  this  estimation,  an  allowance  is  made  for  the 
hatching  and  rearing  annually  one  brood  of  chickens 
by  each  hen.  This  course  will  usually  be  found  much 
more  advantageous  than  to  prevent  their  sitting  alto- 
gether ;  as  their  egg-producing  functions  really  need 
a  respite  from  their  labors.  This,  the  period  of  incu- 
bation and  the  time  spent  in  rearing  the  chicks  will 
give. 

Many  have  advocated  the  use  of  incubators  and 
"artificial  mothers."  None  of  the  former  have  as 
yet  been  so  arranged  or  constructed  as  to  be  of  any 
practical  use  to  the  ordinary  breeder,  and  probably 
will  not,  for  many  years  to  come.  It  is  a  very  difficult 
thing  to  supplant  nature  ;  and  while  it  may  sometimes 
be  done,  it  nearly  always  costs  more,  in  some  form, 
than  it  amounts  to. 

Artificial  mothers  may  be  used  with  profit  when  a 
large  number  of  chicks  is  desired,  and  with  close 
care  and  attention  will  be  found  a  success ;  but,  as 
before  stated,  it  is  better  to  let  each  hen  rear  one 
brood  a  year  herself.     It  has   been   found,  in  prac- 


29 


tice,  that  small  flocks  pay  the  best  in  proportion  to 
numbers  kept.  To  this  rule  the  Plymouth  Rock  is  no 
exception. 

On  the  20tli  of  May,  1874,  S.  F.  Peck  had  one 
Plymouth  Rock  cockerel  and  eight  pullets ;  and  from 
these  eight  pullets  he  obtained,  during  the  succeeding 
year,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-one  eggs  ; 
an  average  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  each,  or  nine- 
teen and  one-sixth  dozen  ;  which  at  thirty  cents  per 
dozen  would  amount  to  the  modest  sum  of  $5.75  per 
head. 

Now,  if  we  estimate  the  feed  at  $1.25  each,  which 
is  a  liberal  allowance,  we  shall  find  the  profit  on  each 
hen  or  pullet  to  have  been  $4.50  ;  or  on  all,  $36.00  ; 
proving,  conclusively,  that  where  proper  attention  is 
given,  a  good  breed  of  fowls  will  pay  better  than  any- 
thing else  bred  or  raised  on  the  farm. 


TABLE  QUALITY. 


Considered  as  a  table  fowl,  few,  if  any,  who  have 
ever  raised,  sold,  or  eaten  them,  would  care  to  make 
any  exchange.  In  market  their  full  breast,  compact 
body,  and  yellow  skin  make  a  decidedly  attractive 
appearance.  This  has  caused  a  strong  demand  to  be 
made  for  them  by  market-men,  where  they  are 
known,  and  better  prices  are  paid  than  for  any  other 
breed.  This  is  certainly  true  in  the  Eastern  States, 
where  from  two  to  live  cents  additional  per  pound  is 
nothing  unusual. 

In  fact,  it  would  be  practically  useless  to  discuss 
this  quality,  if  it  were  intended  to  limit  this  work  to 
New  England  ;  for  there  are  comparatively  few  in  this 
section  who  do  not  know  and  fully  appreciate  this 
truly  valuable  fowl.     It  is  in  fact  the  foivl  for  farmers. 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  raise  the  smaller  breeds 
at  a  profit,  on  account  of  their  lack  of  size  ;  while  the 
Asiatics  are  so  long  in  maturing,  meanwhile  being 
exposed  to  all  the  vicissitudes  incident  to  poultry  life, 


L 


33 


that  the  profit  in  breeding  them  for  market  is  certainly 
a  debatable  one. 

The  Plymouth  Rock,  on  the  other  hand,  combines 
all  the  elements  essential  to  success,  in  this  respect, 
at  least.  It  grows  rapidly,  fledges  quick,  lays  on  flesh 
fast,  matures  early,  and  eats  less  according  to  size 
than  any  other  breed,  and  is  always  ready  for  market, 
when  well  cared  for,  from  the  age  of  tliree  months 
upwards. 

The  size  and  shape  should  be  closely  looked  after  in 
breeding  for  this  quality,  as  the  Improved  will  lay  on 
flesh  much  faster,  with  the  same  amount  of  feed,  than 
the  old  triangle-shape.  This  has  been  proven  by  a 
number*  of  reliable  breeders,  using  a  system  of  varied 
experiments,  which  can  be  cited,  if  necessary. 

As  regards  size,  tliere  is  really  but  little  difference 
of  opinion,  although  a  few  breeders  profess  to  have  a 
preference  for  small-sized  birds.  Those  would  prob- 
ably succeed  better  with  "  Dominique  improved." 

The  best  authorities,  however,  agree  that  a  large 
size  is  desirable  and  much  more  profitable.  In  point 
of  fact,  the  larger  birds  you  can  breed,  the  better,  pro- 
vided you  still  retain  early  maturity,  and  that  plump 
appearance,  at  once  so  tempting  and  so  valuable  in  a 
market-fowl. 

We  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  advocating  any 
further  crossing  with  Asiatics,  in  order  to  increase  the 


34 


size ;  as  tliat  in  effect  would  practically  change  the 
breed,  without  receiving  in  return  anything  really  valu- 
able ;  but  we  would  advocate  breeding  from  the  largest 
hens  and  cocks  of  pure  blood  in  the  flock,  provided 
they  were  suitable  for  mating  in  other  respects,  and 
thus  gradually  increase  the  size  within  the  breed. 

If  this  be  done,  no  fear  need  be  entertained  of  losing, 
either  in  early  maturity,  or  plump  appearance ;  for 
neither  of  these  qualities  is  controlled  hy  the  size,  hut 
hy  the  blood.  This  is  a  mistake  made  frequently  by 
breeders.  They  reason,  and,  in  fact,  breed,  on  the 
principle  that  one  quality  or  characteristic  controls 
others,  when  the  truth  of  the  matter  is,  the  blood  con- 
trols them  all.  • 

The  amount  of  flesh  produced,  is,  of  course,  impor- 
tant, and  this  is  directly  affected  by  the  amount  of 
waste  or  shrinkage  in  preparing  poultry  for  market. 
Too  little  attention  is  given  to  this  point.  Many  have 
no  idea  what  per  cent,  of  waste  there  should  be ; 
while  others  seem  to  think  that  all  should  be  alike  in 
this  respect.  This  is  a  great  mistake,  as  the  several 
varieties  differ  materially,  and  it  is  important  in  select- 
ing a  breed  of  fowls  to  understand  how  much  they 
differ,  and  also  what  tlie  waste  should  be  in  any  given 
variety. 

It  has  been  asserted  by  some  that  the  Houdan  was 
incomparable  in  the  small  per  cent,  of  shrinkage  in 


85 


dressing  ;  but  full  experiments  have  shown  that  it  has 
one  superior  at  least,  and  that  one  is  the  Plymouth 
Rock.  The  waste  in  this  fowl,  when  well-fattened, 
will  vary  but  little  from  fifteen  per  cent.,  and  fre- 
quently will  be  less. 


FANCIEES, 


It  is  sometimes  said  that  the  fancier  produces  noth- 
ing of  practical  utility ;  while  the  truth  is,  that  if  it 
were  not  for  the  fancier,  we  should  have  nothing  but 
a  scrub  lot  of  fowls  not  worth  the  trouble  and  expense 
of  keeping. 

It  is  the  fancier  who  at  considerable  cost  and 
trouble  makes  experiments,  originates  new  breeds, 
fixes  their  characteristics,  and  learns  the  best  mode 
of  management.  The  ordinary  breeder  has  neither 
the  time,  skill,  nor  necessary  means  for  arriving  at 
satisfactory  results  in  these  particulars. 

This  is  the  fancier's  true  forte,  who,  if  he  is  only 
true  to  himself,  has  a  position  alike  honorable  in  itself 
and  of  great  benefit  to  the  people  at  large.  One  that 
is  reliable,  and  a  true  lover  of  fine-bred  stock,  will  so 
mate  and  breed  his  birds  that  their  progeny  will  breed 
true  in  the  hands  of  purchasers. 

His  aim  will  be  to  do  this  rather  than  to  produce  a 
single  pair  or  trio  for  exhibition  purposes,  and  sell  the 
remainder  of  his  stock  on  the  reputation  of  those  exhib- 
ited, though  well  aware  that  most  of  his  birds  will  not 
breed  true  to  all  their  characteristics. 


37 

We  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  saying  that 
exhibitors  do  not  sell  fine  stock,  for  such  is  not  the 
fact ;  but  we  wish  to  impress  upon  the  mind  of  e very- 
fancier  the  fact  that  it  is  for  his  individual  interest  to 
send  out  birds,  as  far  as  possible,  which  will  breed 
true  in  every  particular.  Fortunately,  the  number 
who  do  not  do  this  is  very  small  and  constantly  decreas- 
ing.    The  poultry  fraternity  is  no  place  for  them. 


FANCIER'S  MATING  AND  BREEDING. 


This  is  at  once  the  most  difficult,  and  at  the  same 
time  the  most  interesting,  operation  during  the  entire 
year,  requiring  the  exercise  of  all  the  skill  and  knowl- 
edge gained  by  long  experience,  and  frequently  per- 
plexing the  most  noted  breeders. 

It  not  only  determines  the  character  of  the  stock  to 
be  produced  during  the  current  year,  but  has,  also,  an 
important  influence  on  future  generations.  In  mating 
fowls,  man  takes  the  place  of  nature,  or  rather  he 
seeks  to  guide  and  control,  to  the  best  of  his  ability, 
well-known  natural  laws. 

It  is  a  fixed  natural  law  that  the  best  and  fittest 
survive.  It  makes  no  diffei'ence,  in  the  application  of 
this  law,  wliether  you  are  treating  of  an  analytical 
truth  or  the  propagation  of  life  ;  it  still  remains  the 
central  point  around  and  towards  which  all  researches 
must  be  directed.  It  is  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
observance  of  this  law  by  fanciers  that  they  are  en- 
abled to  perpetuate  and  improve  all  classes  of  fowls. 

The  first  requisite  in  mating  fowls  for  any  purpose, 
is  to  secure  birds  possessing  strength,  vigor,  and 
stamina.  Select  stock  famed  for  these  requirements, 
and  you  will  be  very  sure  of  obtaining  strong,  hardy 


39 

chicks.  Let  the  parent  stock  consist  of  birds  standing- 
head  and  shoulders  above  ordinary  stock,  and  you  will 
be  little  troubled  with  roup  and  its  kindred  diseases. - 

Breeders  disagree  as  to  the  age  of  breeding-birds ; 
but  we  have  found  that  cockerels  nearly  or  quite  a 
year  old,  mated  to  two-year-old  hens,  usually  give  the 
best  results.  A  cock  two  years  of  age,  mated  to  early 
pullets,  will  also  be  found  satisfactory. 

The  best  authorities  agree  that  the  ages  of  the 
males  and  females  should  vary,  and  for  this  reason 
cockerels  and  pullets  should  seldom  be  mated  together, 
unless  it  is  particularly  desirable  to  secure  or  render 
permanent  some  peculiar  characteristic  or  point  in 
that  way,  and  then  they  should  be  at  least  a  year  old. 

If  the  cocks  and  hens  have  been  entirely  separated 
during  the  several  months  preceding  tlie  mating,  so 
much  the  better,  as  the  added  amount  of  vigor  is  very 
beneficial.  Most  breeders  find  it  advantageous  to  pur- 
sue this  plan.  In  the  breeding  of  no  other  choice  stock 
is  it  considered  beneficial,  or  allowable,  even,  to  per- 
mit the  male  to  roam  at  will  with  the  females  during 
the  entire  year,  and  choice  fowls  will  be  found  to  be 
no  exception  to  the  rule. 

Whatever  may  be  the  practice  of  the  breeder  on 
this  point,  it  is  certain  that  a  male  of  another  breed 
should  never  have  been  allowed  access  to  your  breeding 
stock,  as   it  will  surely  destroy  the  purity  of    their 


40 

progeny  for  at  least  the  coming  season.  We  are 
aware  that  a  different  opinion  has  been  held  and  ably 
advocated  by  a  few  well-known  fanciers ;  but  facts  are 
stronger  than  any  mere  theory,  however  plausibly  ad- 
vanced, and  experience  has  abundantly  shown  that  our 
statement  is  correct. 

In  breeding  for  "  fancy  points,''  one  should  under- 
stand exactly  the  object  sought,  and  have  a  clear 
idea  of  the  means  to  be  employed  in  obtaining  that 
object. 

The  different  elements,  about  to  be  brought  together 
and  harmonized,  must  be  carefully  studied,  and  if 
there  is  necessarily  a  defect  in  either  cock  or  hen,  it 
should  be  counterbalanced  by  perfection  on  this  point 
in  the  other. 

For  instance,  if  the  cock's  comb  be  defective  in 
any  way,  as  lop-combed,  the  hen's  comb  should  stand 
perfectly  erect,  and  be  fine  in  other  respects,  in  order 
to  breed  out  the  defect  arising  from  the  comb  of  the 
cock.  Of  course,  no  defective  bird  should  be  bred 
from  unless  it  is  absolutely  necessary,  and  under  no 
circumstances  should  a  male  and  female  both  having 
the  same  defect  be  bred  from. 

No  over-fattened  birds  should  be  used  in  the  breed- 
ing-pen, as  non-fertile  eggs  will  abound  if  they  are. 

The  respective  influence  of  cock  and  hen  has  been 
a  fruitful  topic  of  discussion,  and  as  a  fair  understand- 


41 


ing  of  this  subject  is  desirable  in  ''  fancy  "  breeding, 
to  say  the  least,  it  is  necessary  to  give  the  question  a 
little  attention.  It  has  been  held  by  many  writers 
that  the  cock  possesses  the  greater  influence  over  ex- 
ternals, and  the  hen  over  the  interior  and  life-giving 
qualities ;  the  reason  given  for  this  being  that  the 
procreative  act  of  the  cock  stamps  upon  passive  ma- 
terials already  prepared  his  image,  and  forms  the 
embryo  chick ;  while  the  materials  before  mentioned, 
which  furnish  food  for  the  chick  until  hatched  (and, 
in  fact,  for  several  hours  after),  and  all  of  the  other 
life-giving  properties  are  furnished  by  the  hen. 

The  result  obtained  by  this  course  of  reasoning  is 
probably  true,  to  a  certain  extent,  while  the  course  ot 
reasoning  itself  by  which  it  is  obtained  is  as  evidently 
fallacious. 

It  is  well  understood  that  in  tlie  act  creating  animal 
life,  the  parent  possessing  the  greater  amount  of 
vitality,  other  things  being  equal,  will  indelibly  stamp 
his  image  upon  the  embryo  created. 

In  all  forms  of  animal  life  the  proportion  of  the 
sexes  is  about  even.  In  the  human  race,  where,  ne- 
cessarily, but  one  object  is  sought  by  the  male,  this 
proportion  results  in  no  particular  culling ;  that  is,  of 
necessity.  But  with  the  feathered  ti-ibe,  where  the 
<30ck  necessarily  requires  several  hens,  the  case  is  en- 
tirely different.  There  the  culling  is  certain  and 
4 


42 


extensive.  No  sooner  do  the  cockerels  arrive  at  a 
suitable  age  for  mating,  than  the  question  as  to  who 
shall  be  lord  of  the  harem  arises.  Frequently  the 
battles  to  determine  this  question  are  long  and  bloody, 
extending  over  a  period  of  several  days ;  the  result, 
however,  being  certain  from  the  beginning.  The  one 
possessed  of  the  most  vigor  and  the  greatest  amount 
of  staying  power  will  win  ;  while  the  weaker  and 
inferior  specimens  will  either  be  killed  or  driven  into 
such  obscurity  that  they  can  have  no  perceptible  influ- 
ence in  fixing  the  characteristics  or  qualities  of  the 
progeny. 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that,  in  a  state  of  nature, 
comparatively  few  of  the  males  are  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  begetting  progeny,  and  these  the  creme  de  la 
creme  of  the  flock,  while  all  of  the  females  are  em- 
ployed. 

In  a  state  of  domestication  this  course  has  been 
followed  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  especially  by  far- 
mers and  amateurs  who  breed  most  of  the  fowls. 
This  is  true  of  all  kinds  and  classes  of  animal  life. 
Choice  specimens  of  fine-bred  stock,  possessing  this 
power  of  vitality  in  an  eminent  degree,  are  selected 
from  the  males  for  breeding  purposes ;  while  in  most 
cases  no  attention  whatever  is  paid  to  this  quality  in 
the  females,  but  all  are  bred  from  indiscriminately, 
provided  they  possess  the  other  requisite  qualities. 


43 

This  method,  of  course,  endows  the  male  with  far 
more  vitality  than  the  female,  and,  necessarily,  causes 
him  to  transmit  or  fix  his  image  upon  the  progeny  to 
a  far  greater  extent  than  the  female.  Wherever  a  hen 
is  found,  however,  surpassing  the  cock  in  vigor  and 
vitality,  the  rule  is  reversed  ;  and  this  fact  enables  the 
breeder  of  experience  to  mould,  shape,  and  fashion 
his  birds  to  an  almost  unlimited  extent. 

In  a  perfect  mating,  the  sire  should  possess  beauti- 
ful plumage  perfectly  marked,  fine  symmetry,  and  as 
large  size  as  is  compatible  with  full  vigor.  Tlie  con- 
stitutional requirements,  which  apply  with  equal  force 
to  the  hen,  have  already  been  spoken  of,  and  need  not 
be  repeated  here. 

The  dam  should  excel  in  productiveness  and  size, 
while  the  shape  and  plumage  must  not  be  lost  sight 
of.  This  union  is  the  most  desirable  one  for  any  pur- 
pose. Symmetry  is  especially  important  in  breeding 
for  "  points,"  as,  in  the  show-pen,  it  is  marked  higher 
than  any  other  single  qualification,  and  by  many 
judges  is  again  marked  in  estimating  breast  and  body. 

The  Standard  of  Excellence  requires  that  the  breast 
of  a  Plymouth  Rock  be  "  broad,  deep,  and  full,"  and 
the  "  body  large,  square,  and  compact."  This  neces- 
sitates birds  for  breeding  that  are  both  of  large  size 
and  the  Improved  shape ;  as  no  other  is  or  can  be 
square  in  sliape. 


44 

In  breeding  Plymouth  Rocks  to  feather,  it  should  be 
remembered  that  they  are  parti-colored  and  therefore 
more  difficult  to  breed  exactly  true  to  a  particular 
shade  than  the  solid-colored  breeds.  Moreover,  being 
a  somewhat  recent  cross,  the  tendency  to  revert  in 
color  is  stronger  and  the  result  more  perceptible. 

That  there  has  been  no  well-settled  rule  in  regard 
to  mating  with  a  view  to  breeding  true  to  feather  is 
well  known,  and  each  breeder,  be  he  experienced  or  a 
beginner,  has  been  left  to  his  own  devices.  The 
result  has  been  a  whole  or  partial  failure  in  a  majority 
of  yards. 

Five  different  matings  have  been  advocated  and 
practiced  as  follows : 

No.  1.  A  male  light  in  color  mated  to  dark  females. 
"     2.         "      dark       ^'  "       "  light       " 

u      3^  a  u  u  u  u  ^^^.^         u 

"    4.     Birds  matching  in  the  show-pen. 
"     5.     A  female  medium  in  color  mated  with  a 
male  about  two  points  or  shades  lighter 
in  color. 
Now,  in  deciding  this  question,  it  is  necessary,  as  in 
other  matters,  for  the  breeder  to  understand  exactly 
what  he   proposes  to  accomplish.      If    the  ordinary 
interpretation  of  the  Standard  is  correct,  then  it  cer- 
tainly follows  that  two  different  matings  are  required  ; 
one   for  breeding  purposes,  and  one  for  exhibition. 
But  is  the  ordinary  interpretation  the  correct  one  ? 


45 

The  Standard  does  not  refer  to  this  matter,  except 
under  the  head  of  disqualifications,  and  here  "  birds 
not  matching  in  the  show-pen  "  are  said  to  be  disqual- 
ified. 

What  does  this  phrase  mean  ?  Most  judges  have 
construed  it  to  mean  not  only  that  birds  exhibited  in 
pairs  (or  trios,  as  was  formerly  the  custom,)  must 
match  closely  in  color,  but  also  in  shade  of  coloring. 
There  is  no  necessity  for  such  a  forced  construction, 
as  there  is  nothing  said  or  intimated  in  regard  to  the 
shade,  nor  in  regard  to  color,  even,  which  would  re- 
quire it. 

One  of  the  main  objects  in  exhibiting  fowls  in  pairs 
or  trios  has  been  supposed  to  be  for  the  very  purpose 
of  showing  birds  mated  for  breeding.  If  this  be  true, 
as  we  think  it  is,  either  the  Standard  is  unnatural 
and  arbitrary,  and  should  l^e  changed,  or  the  present 
construction  is  erroneous. 

The  same  phrase,  or  one  similar,  is  used  in  the 
Standard  in  regard  to  a  variety  of  other  breeds,  not 
one  of  which  (except  those  of  one  single  color)  is 
required  to  be  of  exactly  the  same  shade  in  the  show- 
pen  ;  and  many  differ  widely. 

We  are  jjleased  to  see  a  disposition  on  the  part  of 
some  of  our  judges  to  modify  this  construction,  and 
allow  a  greater  latitude  in  color. 

There  should  be  but  one  mating  necessary.  That 
4* 


46 

for  exhibition  should  be  precisely  the  same  as  that 
for  breeding.  The  trouble  and  annoyance  of  being 
obliged  to  have  two  different  styles  of  mating  is  obvi- 
ous to  any  one,  and  it  utterly  befogs  amateurs. 

There  is  no  necessity  for  this.  The  best  mating  for 
breeding  purposes  is  that  of  No.  5,  and  this  is  or 
should  be  the  same  as  No.  4.  Mating  No.  1  is  urged 
by  many  as  the  proper  one ;  and  where  a  beginner  has 
no  really  suitable  birds,  and  does  not  feel  able  to  pay 
the  prices  demanded  for  the  finest  ones,  he  will  do  very 
well  with  fine  bred  stock  mated  in  this  Avay :  that  is, 
he  will  obtain  a  certain  percentage  of  the  progeny 
fitted  for  a  proper  mating  the  next  season. 

But  where  you  have  already  obtained  the  desired 
mediimi  shades  by  careful  breeding,  it  is  worse  than 
useless  to  again  return  to  the  exti^emes  and  expect 
more  favorable  results.  Mating  No.  2  is  objection- 
able, and  should  not  be  practiced,  except  as  a  necessity 
to  utilize  stock,  and  even  then  seldom  proves  satisfac- 
tory. Mating  No.  3  should  never  be  made  use  of ;  as 
the  pullets  from  such  a  mating  would  run  from  very 
dark  to  black,  while  the  cockerels  would  be  splashed 
with  black  or  too  dark  either  for  the  breeding  or 
show-pen.  Possibly  a  few  cockerels  could  be  obtained 
fit  to  be  exhibited ;  but  they  would  not  be  suitable  to 
use  as  breeders,  and  their  proportion  would  be  very 
small. 


47 


It  is  impossible,  also,  to  obtain  by  this  mating  any 
number  of  chicks  having  the  required  yellow  legs  and 
beaks.  They  will  invariably  have  legs  either  dark  or 
spotted.  This  is  a  disqualification  in  exhibition  birds, 
and,  of  course,  destroys  all  but  their  economic  value. 

If  birds  exactly  alike  could  always  be  bred  from,  or 
if  the  mingling  of  like  elements  always  produced  the 
same  results,  there  would  be  but  little  difficulty  in 
breeding  exhibition  birds  by  the  score;  but  such  is 
not  the  fact. 

That  "like  produces  like"  is  usually  true  (to  a  cer- 
tain extent),  but  here  the  law  of  reversion  comes  in 
and  seems  to  say  that  it  also  produces  unlike.  That 
is  to  say,  the  rule  is  that  parents  transmit  their  own 
characteristics  to  their  progeny.  This  transmission 
of  qualities  greatly  depends,  however,  upon  the  ances- 
try of  the  breeding  stock.  Birds  having  a  long  line 
of  noble  ancestors,  of  the  same  blood,  possessed  of  the 
same  prominent  qualities  or  characteristics,  and 
breeding  true  to  them  in  each  generation,  will  almost 
certainly  transmit  those  qualities  or  characteristics  to 
their  offspring,  while  with  birds  of  no  particular  ances- 
try or  of  different  blood,  there  is  no  surety  of  success. 

It  is  this  underlying  truth  that  gives  such  an 
extraxDrdinary  value  to  certain  strains.  Breeders 
understand  that  in  order  to  render  valuable  any 
strain,  the  peculiar  points  pertaining  to  it  must  be 


48 

rendered  fixed  and  permanent  to  such  an  extent  that 
these  peculiar  points  will  be  reproduced  with  certainty 
in  their  descendants.  It  is  the  work  of  years  to  per- 
fect such  a  strain,  and  is  accomplished  only  after 
much  labor  and  expense. 


IN-AND-IN  BEEEDINd 


The  merits  and  demerits  of  the  above  system  of 
breeding  have  been  discussed  and  experimented  upon 
for  a  long  series  of  years  by  many  and  prominent 
breeders,  both  of  fowls  and  other  stock,  and  there 
have  resulted  no  very  satisfactory  results;  that  is, 
none  accepted  by  all  as  authority  in  deciding  this 
question. 

That  it  is  a  question  of  great  practical  importance 
in  the  propagation  of  any  species  of  stock,  will  be 
readily  admitted;  and  any  course  of  experiments 
which  shall  succeed  in  definitely  settling  this  vexed 
question  will  procure  for  the  fortunate  experimenter 
the  gratitude  of  breeders  in  general,  and  will  endow 
him  with  a  fair  portion  of  this  world's  goods. 

In-and-in  breeding  has  been  practiced  for  genera- 
tions, sometimes  successfully  and  sometimes  with 
injurious  effects. 

The  value  of  strains  has  been  heretofore  shown, 
and  it  is  in  forming  or  perpetuating  these  that  this 
system  has  been  mainly  resorted  to. 

It  is  obviously  true  that  in  such  cases  close  breed- 
ing is  a  necessity,  if  we  would  retain  the  peculiar 
qualities  pertaining  to  any  particular  strain.     It  is 


50 

also  true  that  birds  can  be  bred  truer  to  feather,  of 
finer  bone,  of  greater  uniformity,  and  in  a  shorter 
space  of  time,  in  this  way  than  by  any  other  method. 

The  main  question  then  arises  as  to  whether  it  will 
cause  the  progeny  to  deteriorate  in  strength  and 
vigor,  and  other  points  of  equal  value,  as  it  is  asserted 
by  many.  We  believe  that  it  will,  if  resorted  to  in 
any  considerable  degree,  or  by  any  but  the  most 
experienced  breeders.  Doubtless  there  are  occasions 
when  it  is  beneficial,  and  where  breeders  may  resort 
to  it  with  advantage,  in  fixing  and  perpetuating  the 
characteristics  of  their  birds;  but  the  occasions  are 
very  rare  which  will  admit  of  its  being  tolerated  for 
more  than  one  generation,  and  then  only  by  those 
perfectly  well  versed  in  the  matter.  That  the  degen- 
eracy of  much  once  famous  stock  may  be  traced  to 
this  cause  is  unquestionably  true;  and  the  less  we 
have  of  it,  the  better.  It  certainly  gives  a  violent  shock 
to  the  system,  and  it  requires  birds  exceptionably 
strong  and  hardy  to  be  able  to  resist  it.  That  the 
Plymouth  Rocks  possess  these  qualities  in  an  excep- 
tional degree  is  an  undeniable  fact,  and  they  could, 
probably,  sustain  the  shock  much  more  easily  than 
most  breeds ;  but  it  would  be  at  the  expense  of  those 
very  qualities  so  much  desired,  and  so  difficult  to 
regain  when  once  lost. 

That  which  is  the  most  difficult  to  obtain  is  usually 


51 

the  most  valuable ;  and  it  is  true  in  this  case.  It  is 
far  better  in  breeding  ''to  feather,"  to  breed  as  close 
as  possible,  and  avoid  in-and-in  breeding,  even  if  this 
be  at  the  expense  of  a  little  time.  It  is  a  good  plan 
to  have  several  yards  of  the  same  blood,  and  select 
your  breeding  stock  from  these  different  runs,  mating 
a  male  from  one  with  females  from  the  others. 


lATING  AND  BEEEDING  FOR  UTILITY. 


In  mating  and  breeding  for  utility,  the  first  requi- 
sites are  hardiness  and  vigor.  These  are  of  para- 
mount importance ;  for,  however  perfect  a  chick  may 
be  in  all  other  respects,  without  a  sound  constitution 
it  is  a  failure. 

Not  only  should  the  birds  mated  be  strong  and 
vigorous  at  the  time  of  mating,  but  they  should  have  . 
always  been  so  :  since  one  that  has  ever  been  weak  and 
puny  will  be  very  apt  to  produce  a  certain  proportion 
of  puny  chicks,  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances. 

Of  course,  their  ancestors  should  have  been  the 
same  ;  otherwise  it  is  useless  to  breed  from  them  for 
utility.  It  is  always  Ijetter  to  breed  from  a  moder- 
ately indifferent  bird  descended  from  a  long  line  of 
hardy  and  vigorous  ancestors,  than  to  breed  from  a 
good  specimen  descended  from  debilitated  stock.  In 
this  mating,  also,  the  value  of  a  good  strain  becomes 
apparent. 

The  four  main  points  to  be  sought  after  in  l^reeding 
for  utility  are  hardiness,  early  maturity,  productive- 
ness, and  table  quality.  Thes^  are  of  importance  in 
the  order  named.     When,  the  above-named  qualities 


^liilf 


55 


have  been  carefully  sought  by  the  breeder,  and  ren- 
dered fixed  and  permanent,  in  any  strain,  by  a  judi- 
cious system  of  mating  for  years,  it  will  be  found 
much  more  advantageous  to  breed  from  this  stock 
than  from  ordinary  choice  specimens. 

In  the  matter  of  productiveness,  it  is  necessary  to 
be  particularly  careful  in  the  selection  of  the  dam, 
since  this  quality  is  almost  solely  under  her  influence. 

Fowls,  from  a  utilitarian  standpoint,  are  mere  ma- 
chines for  the  conversion  of  food  into  eggs  and  flesh ; 
and  their  value  is  in  direct  proportion  to  the  quantity 
and  quality  produced. 

The  size  and  shape  now  demand  attention,  and 
require  more  consideration  than  is  usually  given  them 
by  breeders.  Other  things  being  equal,  a  fine,  large, 
early-maturing  fowl  is,  of  course,  more  valuable  than 
a  smaller  one ;  since  the  cost  of  feed  is  about  the 
same  in  one  case  as  in  the  other,  and  the  amount  of 
flesh  produced  much  more  in  one  case  than  in  the 
other. 

It  is  comparatively  easy  to  allow  stock  of  any  kind 
to  deteriorate  either  in  quality  or  size  ;  but  it  requires 
both  skill  and  patience  on  the  part  of  the  breeder  to 
reverse  the  operation.  For  this  reason,  if  for  no  other, 
large-sized  birds  of  this  variety  should  be  sought  and 
bred  from. 

The  shape  of  the  Plymouth  Rock  should  also  be 


56 


closely  looked  after,  as  it  will  make  quite  a  difference 
in  the  cost  of  the  feed  necessary  to  produce  a  certain 
number  of  pounds  of  flesh  within  a  given  time, 
whether  one  breeds  from  the  ordinary  or  Improved 
shape.  • 

In  order  to  secure  fertility  in  the  eggs,  and  vigorous 
chicks,  the  males  and  females  used  for  breeding 
should  have  been  kept  separated  up  to  the  time  of 
mating,  which  ought  to  take  place  in  December  or 
January. 


CARE  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  STOCK. 


WARMTH. 


The  number  of  fowls  kept  should  depend  lioth  on 
the  experience  of  the  breeder  and  the  accommoda- 
tions for  them.  Expensive  houses  are  not  necessary, 
though  the  amateur  possessing  ample  means,  and 
desiring  to  beautify  and  adorn  liis  grounds,  will  doubt- 
less find  pleasure  in  furnishing  and  ornamenting  his 
buildings.  Shelter  of  some  kind  must,  however,  be 
supplied,  and  the  more  simple  the  better,  provided  it 
fully  serves  the  purpose  required. 

Before  entering  into  any  description  of  houses,  it 
may  be  well  to  consider  a  few  requirements  that  are 
absolutely  essential  to  success  in  this  pursuit.  During 
the  cold  winter  months  the  fowls  need  warm,  comfort/- 
able  quarters ;  and  they  must  have  them,  if  one 
expects  any  eggs  at  this  season. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  certain  amount  of 
warmth  is  absolutely  necessar}^  for  the  preservation  of 
life.  When  the  atmosphere  surrounding  animal  life 
of  any  kind  possesses  the  requisite  amount  of  heat, 
of  course  no  artificial  means  are  needed  to  increase  it ; 


58 


but  when  the  air  becomes  deficient  in  life-giving- 
warmth,  the  supply  must  be  artificially  given,  and  if 
it  is  not  externally  supplied,  it  must  be  internally. 
In  other  words,  if  fowls  are  not  kept  sufficiently  warm, 
the  food  given  them  will  be  appropriated  to  supplying 
the  deficiency,  rather  than  to  the  production  of  eggs 
or  flesh.  This  is  a  very  costly  way  of  warming  stock, 
and  one  never  resorted  to  by  breeders  of  experience. 

Let  every  one  bear  in  mind,  then,  that  the  growth 
of  fowls,  as  well  as  the  production  of  eggs,  is  retarded 
by  undue  exposure  to  cold,  and  especially  to  variable 
weather  and  chilling  winds,  which,  being  a  good  con- 
ductor of  heat,  leave  the  fowls  in  a  ])enumbed  and 
torpid  state.  They  then  require  the  best  of  care, 
together  with  extra  feed,  to  restore  their  vigor ;  and 
very  frequently  all  is  of  no  avail ;  the  fowls  or  chicks 
will  die  in  spite  of  your  tardy  care. 

If  the  house  has  a  sunny  exposure,  is  well  battened, 
and  has  large  glass  windows  reaching  nearly  to  the 
floor  in  the  south  side,  there  will  usually  be  no  neces- 
sity of  supplying  artificial  heat,  which  we  do  not 
approve  of  with  most  beginners,  at  least.  But  if  the 
situation  or  construction  of  the  house  renders  it  abso- 
lutely necessary,  it  needs  much  greater  care  to  pre- 
vent sudden  changes  of  temperature,  especially  when 
the  fowls  are  allowed  a  run,  as  they  should  be. 


VENTILATION. 


It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  you  can  fur- 
nish heat  by  building  perfectly  tight  quarters,  and  not 
allowing  for  ventilation.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to 
exaggerate  the  importance  of  this  latter  requirement, 
in  breeding  poultry  of  any  kind.  We  all  know  how  dele- 
terious are  the  effects  of  the  want  of  it,  upon  the  human 
system.  Fill  a  room  with  people,  and  allow  no  ingress  of 
fresh  air,  and  how  soon  will  its  evil  effects  he  perceived. 
The  reason  for  this  is  obvious.  In  respiration,  animal 
life  of  every  species  and  kind  is  constantly  consuming 
oxygen,  without  which  no  animal  life  can  survive,  and 
throwing  off'  carbonic  acid  gas,  which,  mixed  in  suffi- 
cient quantity  with  atmospheric  air,  is  fatal  to  animal 
life.  This  process  is  continued  as  long  as  a  proper 
supply  of  oxygen  is  furnished  by  suitable  ventilation ; 
but  as  soon  as  that  is  withheld,  it  becomes  necessary 
to  again  inhale  the  carbonic  acid  gas.  What  is  true  of 
the  human  race,  is  also  true,  in  this  respect,  of  fowls. 

The  decomposition  and  fermentation  of  the  drop- 
pings in  the  fowl-houses  generate  other  gases  also, 
which  contaminate  and  pollute  the  air,  unless  a  means 
of  egress  for  them  is  afforded. 

The  necessity  of  suitable  ventilation,  therefore,  is 
5 


60 


obvious.  A  supply  of  pure  fresh  aii%  at  all  times,  is 
a  vital  requirement  in  raising  poultry,  and  the  begin- 
ner who  disregards  it  will  be  very  sure  to  experience 
evil  consequences  of  which  he  little  dreams. 

This  supply  must  not  be  furnished  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  cause  a  draught  upon  the  fowls.  This  is 
always  bad,  and  especially  at  night.  It  is  far  better 
to  have  the  ventilator  in  the  upper  part  of  the  build- 
ing, several  feet  al)ove  their  heads,  since  bad  air  rises 
as  it  becomes  heated,  and  is  thus  carried  off  in  a 
-natural  manner,  while  the  fowls  are  preserved  from 
the  evils  effects  of  a  constant  draught  of  cold  air. 


EANGE. 


Ill  selecting  quarters  for  stock,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  a  large  range  is  very  beneficial.  A  limited 
number  of  fowls  can  be  kept  in  close  quarters,  but 
even  that  is  not  desirable.  In  their  natural  condition 
the  range  was  unlimited,  and  they  were  enabled  and 
in  a  measure  forced  to  take  exercise  in  procuring 
food.  Domestication  has  changed  all  this,  and  to  a 
great  extent  taken  away  this  necessity.  Exercise  in 
some  form  is  an  absolute  requirement.  Without  it 
no  one  can  possibly  breed  poultry  at  a  profit.  Hens 
will  not  lay,  and  their  eggs  would  not  hatch  if  they 
did,  without  they  have  it.  Inactivity  enervates  the 
system  and  renders  it  liable  to  disease  of  every  kind, 
to  which  it  falls  an  easy  prey. 

This  is  one  great  reason  why  so  large  a  proportion 
of  our  fine-bred  stock  is  said  to  be  weak  and  debili- 
tated. As  well  leave  a  fine  trotting  horse  for  months 
in  his  stall,  and  then  expect  him  to  win  a  race,  as  to 
deprive  fowls  of  exercise,  and  then  expect  them  to 
lay  or  be  hardy. 

Chickens  will,  however,  take  sufficient  exercise,  if 
allowed  to  follow  their  natural  inclinations.  Walk- 
ing and  scratching  are  the  principal  means  })y  which 


62 

this  desirable  result  is  secured,  and  where  fowls  are 
closely  confined,  or  the  quarters  quite  limited,  some 
provision  must  be  made  for  this  purpose.  Perhaps 
one  of  the  best,  and  at  the  same  time  most  convenient 
means,  is  to  scatter  whole  grain  over  the  runs  in  the 
morning,  and  cover  with  straw  or  leaves  to  the  depth 
of  several  inches.  This  will  furnish  them  an  oppor- 
tunity to  scratch  for  their  food,  which  they  always 
relish  much  J^etter  when  obtained  in  that  manner; 
and  will  also  give  the  required  amount  of  exercise. 

When  they  have  a  ground  run,  which  is  almost 
essential  to  success,  it  should  be  dug  over  every  few 
days,  particularly  in  the  warm  season.  The  fowls 
will  appreciate  this,  and  the  owner  will  appreciate 
their  increased  productiveness. 

A  range  is  also  desirable  on  account  of  the  variety 
of  food  it  enables  the  birds  to  procure  in  its  proper 
season.  Where  they  are  allowed  their  liberty,  they 
will  obtain,  in  the  warm  season,  all  of  the  green  food 
and  insects  necessary,  together  with  gravel,  lime,  etc., 
and  obtain  it,  too,  in  a  much  better  proportion  than 
any  fancier  or  breeder  can  supply  them. 

Therefore,  where  but  one  breed  is  kept,  it  will  be 
found  more  profitable  to  give  them  their  liberty ;  but 
where,  for  any  reason,  this  is  impossible,  the  runs 
should  be  so  arranged  that  they  may  have  as  much 
space  allotted  to  them  as  is  compatible  with  the  sur- 
roundings. 


QUAKTERS. 

The  location  of  the  poultry-house  is  a  matter  which 
requires  consideration.  The  house  need  not  be 
expensive,  but  it  should  be  comfortable  and  conven- 
ient. It  should  always  be  built  on  dry  ground,  which 
has  a  sufficient  slope  to  carry  off  the  surface  water. 
A  moist  or  damp  atmosphere  is  detrimental  to  both 
the  comfort  and  the  health  of  fowls,  and  they  should 
not  be  forced  to  live  in  it. 

The  house  should  be  sheltered,  as  far  as  possible, 
from  cold  and  chilling  winds,  since  it  will  cost  more 
to  feed  the  same  number  of  fowls  when  exposed,  and 
the  number  of  eggs  will  be  much  smaller. 

The  size  of  the  house  will  depend  upon  the  number 
of  fowls  to  be  kept  in  it.  The  beginner  must  be 
reminded  that  too  many  must  not  be  kept  together, 
since  small  flocks  always  pay  l^etter  in  proportion, 
and  are  far  less  liable  to  disease. 

It  is  better  and  more  economical,  in  the  long  run, 
to  build  several  small  houses  rather  than  to  crowd  a 
large  number  under  the  same  roof  and  compel  them 
to  inhale  each  other's  exhalations. 

Where  from  forty  to  fifty  are  housed  under  the 
same  roof,  there  should  be  several  pens,  so  that  the 


64 

flock  may  be  divided.  Fifty  is  about  as  many  as  can 
be  kept  together  with  advantage,  and  some  prefer 
less.  The  partitions  between  breeding  pens  should  be 
boarded  up  to  a  height  of  two  feet,  for  the  purpose  of 
preventing  trouble  among  the  different  males.  Wire 
netting  is  much  better  for  the  upper  portion,  as  it 
allows  the  free  circulation  of  air. 

The  old-fashioned  perches,  or  roosts  (where  one 
rises  above  the  other),  should  be  avoided,  since  they 
cause  the  birds  to  crowd  and  soil  each  other.  Perches 
should  never  be  placed  or  arranged  at  h  distance  of 
six  or  eight  feet  from  the  floor,  no  matter  what 
approaches  are  made  to  them,  since  fowls  will  almost 
invariably  fly  off  the  perch,  and  are  very  liable  to 
hurt  their  feet,  as  well  as  suffer  other  injuries,  if  the 
distance  from  the  floor  is  considerable;  and,  more- 
over, the  air  is  purer  nearer  the  floor.  Those  perches 
which  are  stationary,  are  not  as  convenient  as  those 
which  can  l^e  easily  removed,  and  the  same  is  true  of 
a  platform  for  the  droppings.  The  l^etter  plan  is  to 
make  them  both  removable,  with  the  perch  three  feet 
from  the  floor,  and  the  platform  about  midway  between. 
This  latter  article  should  always  be  placed  under  the 
perch  in  every  pen,  since  it  saves  much  time  and 
trouble,  besides  keeping  the  pen  cleaner  and  giving 
more  room  to  the  fowls. 

The  floor  should  be  of  earth,  where  it  is  possible  to 


65 


build  upon  dry  soil ;  Init  where  the  ground  is  inclined 
to  be  a  little  damp,  sand  may,  with  advantage,  be 
spread  to  the  depth  of  several  inches.  In  fact,  a 
sandy  loam  makes  the  best  possible  floor. 

The  nests  for  laying  hens  should  be  arranged 
beneath  the  platform,  and,  where  they  are  so  arranged, 
single  boxes,  about  fifteen  inches  square,  without  bot- 
toms, are  the  best.  These  are  much  more  easily 
cleaned,  and  not  as  liable  to  be  troubled  with  vermin. 

If  the  platform,  perch,  nests,  etc.,  be  arranged  as 
suggested,  and  the  floor  be  of  earth,  it  will  be  a  com- 
paratively easy  matter  to  keep  the  pen  in  a  perfectly 
sweet  and  fresh  condition,  as  the  construction  and 
height  of  platform  render  its  scraping  the  work  of  a 
few  minutes,  and  the  floor  may  be  quickly  raked  over. 

The  fact  of  all  the  furniture,  if  we  may  so  speak, 
being  non-fixtures,  reduces  the  amount  of  necessary 
labor. 

It  is  convenient,  also,  to  have  a  passage-way  at  the 
rear  of  the  pens,  opening  into  each  pen,  and  furnished 
with  a  trap-door  opening  into  the  nests. 

By  this  means  the  attendant  is  enabled  to  collect 
the  eggs  without  disturbing  the  hens,  and  is  forced 
to  enter  the  pen  only  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  the 
necessary  food  and  drink,  and  collecting  the  droppings. 
This  is  of  some  importance,  as  quiet  tends  to  an 
increased  production  of  eggs. 


The  room  for  sitting  he^is  should  be  in  another  sec- 
tion of  the  building,  entirely  separated  from  the  lay- 
ing quarters,  and  will  be  treated  of  elsewhere. 

In  addition  to  the  quarters  already  mentioned,  there 
ought  to  be  a  shed  on  the  outside  of  the  house,  for  the 
use  of  fowls  in  wet  and  cold  weather.  This  should 
be  provided  with  a  roof,  and  be  covered  on  all  sides 
except  the  south,  and  kept  perfectly  dry.  Where  the 
space  is  limited  to  a  few  feet,  it  is  usually  better  to 
cover  the  whole  and  form  a  covered  run,  being  careful 
to  leave  plenty  of  sunlight.  In  this  shed  or  run 
should  be  placed  a  dust-bath,  which  is  very  essential 
to  the  well-being  of  the  fowls. 

For  this  purpose,  dry,  pulverized  earth  is  the  best. 
That  gathered  dry  from  the  road  where  it  has  been 
pulverized  by  the  passing  wheels  is  admirable.  Where 
this  is  not  easily  obtained,  coal  ashes  will  do,  but  are 
not  as  good,  and  when  used  may  be  mixed  with  loam 
to  advantage. 

If  fowls  are  confined  during  the  warm  season,  a 
shade  of  some  kind  must  be  furnished  their  runs,  for 
the  unobstructed  rays  of  the  sun  are  very  detrimental 
to  their  health,  frequently  causing  death.  In  a  state 
of  nature,  birds  always  seek  the  shade  during  the 
warmer  part  of  the  day,  and  domesticated  do  the  same, 
when  allowed  their  liberty.  Fowls,  therefore,  should 
never  be  forced  to  endure  the  sweltering  rays  of  the 
sun  or  to  retreat  to  the  roost. 


67 

A  southern  front  is  very  desirable,  with  the  win- 
dows so  placed  or  arranged  that  all  possible  sunlight 
may  be  admitted  during  the  cold  season. 

Light  you  must  have,  and  the  more  the  better. 
Very  few  kinds  of  life,  either  animal  or  vegetable,  can 
long  survive,  and  certainly  cannot  be  expected  to  be 
productive,  without  it.  For  this  reason,  the  windows 
should  cover  as  much  of  the  south  side  of  the  house 
as  the  style  of  the  building  will  allow  of. 

Cleanliness  must  also  be  carefully  looked  after,  as 
it  greatly  aids  both  health  and  production.  The  house 
ought  to  be  cleaned  at  least  once  a  week,  and  the  plat- 
form scraped.  In  the  warm  season  it  is  better  to  do 
this  every  day,  since  the  droppings  befoul  the  air  very 
quickly  in  warm  weather.  This  may  seem  a  small 
matter ;  but  a  little  experience  will  prove  that  it  is  a 
very  important  one. 

The  great  pest  of  the  fowl-house,  however,  is  ver- 
min. Against  them  an  unrelenting  warfare  must  be 
waged.  Perfect  cleanliness  will  almost  certainly  pre- 
vent their  obtaining  a  foothold,  but  where  they  have 
already  done  so,  other  means  must  be  used.  The  Per- 
sian Insect  Powder  is  the  best  weapon  to  use  for  this 
purpose,  but  is  rather  expensive.  Powdered  sulphur 
is  a  very  good  remedy,  and  should  be  plentifully 
sprinkled  in  the  nests  and  throughout  the  house,  espe- 
cially on  and  around  the  roosts.  Carbolic  acid  is  also 
6 


68 

good,  and  should  always  be  mixed  with  whitewash 
when  applied  to  the  interior  of  the  house.  This  should 
be  done  as  often  as  once  in  six  months,  using  the  wash 
thoroughly  and  filling  all  cracks  and  crevices  with  it. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  means  of  subduing  vermin.  If 
sassafras  poles  are  used  for  perches,  no  vermin  more 
harmful  than  the  wood-louse  will  be  found  on  them. 
This  is  the  result  of  ten  years  of  experience.  These 
poles  shoidd  be  at  least  three  inches  in  diameter  at 
the  large  end. 

After  the  breeding-season  is  over,  kerosene  is  by  far 
the  best  to  use,  either  as  a  preventive  or  remedy,  since 
it  is  more  powerful  and  acts  quickly.  The  perches, 
especially  the  under  side,  should  be  frequently  washed 
with  it,  and  it  may  occasionally  be  used  to  advantage 
upon  the  other  parts  of  the  building,  and  in  the  nests ; 
remembering  not  to  use  it  in  any  way  so  that  it  may 
come  in  contact  with  the  eggs  during  the  breeding- 
season,  as  it  sometimes  prevents  their  hatching. 


POULTRY-HOUSE. 


In  the  illustration  on  page  70,  a  fowl-house  is  repre- 
sented that  is  desirable  for  the  reason  that  it  com}>ines 
utility,  convenience,  and  cheapness.  It  can,  of  course, 
be  modified  to  suit  circumstances.  It  is  seventy-five 
feet  in  length  by  twelve  in  width  ;  posts  seven  feet  in 
height.  At  one  end,  a  space  twelve  by  fifteen  feet  is 
reserved  for  sitting  hens  and  early  chicks,  leaving  a 
space  sixty  feet  in  length  to  be  used  as  Ijreeding-pens, 
of  which  there  are  five. 

In  the  rear  is  a  passage-way  two  and  one-half  feet 
in  width,  extending  the  entire  length  of  the  breeding- 
pens  ;  opening  at  one  end  on  the  outside  of  the  build- 
ing, and,  on  the  other,  into  the  room  for  the  sitting- 
hens.  This  arrangement  gives  five  pens,  twelve  \)y 
nine  and  one-half  feet,  which  will  accommodate  from 
fifty  to  sixty  fowls.  This  is  as  large  a  numljer  as  should 
ever  be  kept  in  one  building,  and  some  prefer  a  less. 

The  partitions  between  the  pens  are  made  of  ))oards, 
to  the  height  of  two  feet,  and  the  remaining  portion 
of  wire  netting.  The  platform,  to  catch  the  drop- 
pings, is  two  feet  wide  and  four  inches  deep,  and  is 
placed  at  the  extreme  rear  of  the  pen  upon  a  frame 
eighteen  inches  in  height. 


72 


The  perch  proper  is  made  of  scantling,  two  by  three 
inches,  with  the  upper  edges  well  rounded.  This  is 
fitted  into  a  frame  made  for  the  purpose,  the  whole 
forming  what  is  termed  a  "  wooden  horse."  The 
height  of  perch  is  twenty  inches  above  the  platform. 

The  nests  are  single  boxes,  fifteen  inches  square, 
without  bottoms,  and  are  placed  under  the  platform. 
A  trap-door  from  the  passage-way  opens  into  them, 
thus  obviating  the  necessity  of  entering  the  pen  for 
the  eggs,  which  should  be  collected  several  times  a 
day,  especially  in  cold  weather.  Each  pen  is  furnished 
with  two  windows.  These  can  be  l^oth  raised  from 
the  bottom  and  lowered  from  the  top. 

The  floor  is  a  sandy  loam.  The  room  for  sitting 
hens  is,  as  l^efore  stated,  twelve  by  fifteen  feet,  and, 
in  the  extreme  rear,  is  furnished  with  three  tiers  of 
nest-boxes,  fifteen  inches  square.  Each  nest  has  a 
separate  space  in  front  where  the  food,  drink,  and 
dust-bath  are  placed.  This  prevents  confusion  as  to 
nests,  and,  at  the  same  time,  allows  the  hen  perfect 
liberty. 

"  In  this  room  most  of  the  early  chicks  are  cooped. 
A  coal  stove  is  placed  here,  insuring  warmth  and 
comfort  for  both  fowls  and  chicks. 

The  roof  being  double,  gives  an  upper  room,  the 
ends  of  which  are  used  for  cooping  either  chicks  or 
single  birds  in  the  cold  season,  and  for   fattening 


73 

fowls  ;  while  the  remaining  portion  is  very  serviceable 
as  a  store-room.  The  ventilators  are  at  the  junction 
of  the  roof,  and  are  so  constructed  that  a  plentiful 
supply  of  fresh  air  is  constantly  obtained.  Nearly  all 
of  the  interior  portion  of  this  house  is  put  together 
by  means  of  grooves,  so  that  all  parts  may  be  easily 
detached,  and  rooms  of  different  sizes  constructed. 
On  page  53,  an  illustration  of  a  small  movable  house 
is  given.  This  is  sufficiently  large  for  a  dozen  fowls, 
being  six  by  eight  feet.  This  style  of  house  is  very 
convenient,  since  it  can  easily  be  moved  to  any  part 
of  the  yards ;  and  thus  any  particular  fowls  or  breed 
can  be  completely  isolated  from  the  others. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  nests  are  on  a  level  with 
the  house-floor,  but  entirely  beyond  and  outside  the 
house.  This  obviates  the  most  serious  objection  to 
this  style  of  house,  viz.,  the  constant  disturbance  of 
fowls.  The  food  and  drink  may  also  be  given  from 
the  outside,  so  that  it  is  not  necessary  to  enter  the 
liouse,  except  to  clean  it,  and  remove  the  droppings. 


FOOD  FOR  ADULT  FOWLS. 


There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of  the  poultry  business 
so  apparently  easy  and  yet  so  difficult  as  the  proper 
feeding  of  fowls.  A  regular  and  judicious  system  is 
very  necessary  both  to  the  birds  themselves  and  to 
the  breeders'  profit. 

In  considering  this  subject,  the  ulterior  object 
sought  should  he  kept  constantly  in  mind.  There  are 
two  classes  who  breed  poultry  with  the  expectancy  of 
profit,  viz.,  fanciers,  so  called,  and  the  ordinary 
breeder  for  eggs  and  market  fowls.  These  are  not 
necessarily  distinct,  and  each  may  include  the  other ; 
yet,  for  practical  purposes,  it  will  be  found  that  they 
are  sufficiently  distinct  to  be  classified  as  above.  The 
main  object  of  the  former  is  to  produce  fine,  standard 
birds,  breeding  true  to  form  and  feather ;  while  the 
latter  seeks  the  greatest  possible  number  of  eggs  and 
amount  of  flesh. 

The  feed  and  care  necessary  for  fowls  devoted  ex- 
clusively to  laying  eggs,  differ  somewhat  from  that 
given  breeding  stock ;  inasmuch  as  the  object  now  is 
to  obtain  as  many  eggs  as  possible  without  regard  to 
quality. 

All  that  has  heretofore  ])een  said  will  have  lieen 


75 

said  in  vain,  if  there  is  now  a  lack  of  care  and  atten- 
tion. 

In  order  that  the  greatest  numljer  of  eggs  may  be 
obtained,  it  is  requisite  that  a  reguhir  supply  of  nutri- 
tious food  be  furnished.  That  half-starved  fowls  will 
not  prove  profitable  is  obvious  to  all ;  neither  are 
those  which  are  half-fed  at  one  time  and  over-fed  at 
another.  If  an  egg  daily  is  desired  from  each  hen, 
it  is  evident  that  a  proper  supply  of  egg-producing 
materials  must  daily  be  furnished  the  hen,  or  she  can- 
not produce  the  egg.     Eo:  niliilo  nihil  fit. 

On  the  other  hand,  too  great  a  supply  of  food  will 
surely  over-fatten  the  hen,  and  cause  her  to  lay  very 
few  eggs,  while  she  is  thereby  rendered  much  more 
subject  to  disease.  It  may  be  objected  that  this  does 
not  apply  to  all  fowls,  and  we  are  willing  to  admit  that 
some  of  the  smaller  breeds  may  lie  fed  all  they  will 
eat,  with  perfect  impunity,  so  far  as  over-fattening  is 
concerned;  but  it  does  apply  to  the  larger  breeds, 
among  which  is  the  Plymouth  Rock. 

It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  it  requires  consider- 
able care  and  forethought  to  secure  a  proper  medium. 
It  has  been  urged  by  some  that  fowls  should  receive 
no  more  feed — and  that  of  the  same  quality — ^than 
they  obtained  in  a  state  of  nature.  This  is  obviously 
incorrect,  for  in  that  condition  they  rarely  laid  more 
than  were  sufficient  for  a  single  hatching  during  the 


76 


season,  and  their  lives  extended  over  a  period  of  sev- 
eral years.  But  it  does  not  pay  to  keep  them  for  that 
number  of  eggs,  nor  for  a  longer  period  of  time  than 
two  years;  therefore  they  should  receive  a  much 
greater  amount  of  food,  and  that  of  a  much  more 
stimulating  nature. 

^  The  proper  amount  of  food  varies.  When  the 
fowls  are  confined  they  will  need  more  than  when  at 
liberty ;  at  the  same  time,  the  danger  of  glutting  them 
is  greater,  from  their  lack  of  vigorous  exercise.  Cold 
weather  also  increases  their  demand  for  and  need  of 
food.  The  exact  amount  can  never  be  stated,  as 
different  fowls  of  the  same  Ijreed  and  under  the  same 
circumstances  will  consume  different  amounts.  A 
good  rule  is  to  feed  them  as  long  as  they  show  an 
eager  desire  for  it,  and  stop  as  soon  as  they  cease  to 
run  after  it,  when  scattered  on  the  ground  or  floor. 
The  food  should  be  varied  in  its  character,  and  what- 
ever variety  may  l)e  mentioned  as  being  excellent 
should  not  on  that  account  be  exclusively  used. 

During  the  cold  season,  a  soft,  warm  feed  of  some 
kind  should  be  given  once  a  day.  The  morning  is 
the  best  time  for  this,  since  it  is  much  more  quickly 
digested  than  whole  grain,  and  therefore  more  quickly 
introduced  into  the  system.  This  food  must  be  mixed 
nearly  dry.  If  too  wet  it  will  improperly  dilute  the 
gastric  secretions,  and  thereby  impair  the  digestion. 


77 

A  good  plan  is  to  mix  it  sufficiently  dry  to  readily 
mould  into  a  ball,  and  l)reak  on  being  thrown  upon 
the  ground. 

Boiled  potatoes,  mashed,  and  thoroughly  mixed 
with  corn  meal,  while  warm,  are  eagerly  devoured  by 
fowls,  and  form  one  of  the  best  morning  feeds  pos- 
sible in  cold  weather.  At  this  season,  all  ground 
grains^  and,  in  fact,  all  soft  food,  ought  to  be  either 
cooked  or  thoroughly  scalded,  the  former  being  prefer- 
able. Barley  meal,  provender,  and  wheat  middlings 
are  all  good,  and  each  should  be  given  as  a  change. 
During  the  winter,  and  when  the  fowls  have  no  run 
sufficiently  large  to  procure  any  food,  a  light  repast 
should  be  given  in  the  middle  of  the  day;  at  other 
times,  none.  This  meal,  and  that  at  evening  also, 
should  usually  consist  of  whole  grains,  as  they  digest 
more  slowly,  and  therefore  furnish  a  more  constant 
support  through  the  long  night.  Of  these,  wheat, 
oats,  buckwheat,  cracked  corn,  and  corn  are  all  good, 
and  for  the  production  of  eggs  are  valuable  in  about 
the  order  named,  with  the  possible  exception  of  corn, 
which,  in  some  form,  is  and  should  be  the  staple  food. 

Meat,  in  some  form,  is  very  beneficial,  and  should 
always  be  furnished  in  cold  weather,  when  worms  and 
insects  cannot  be  obtained,  and  at  all  seasons  when 
the  birds  are  closely  confined.  Cheap  pieces  may  be 
procured  of  the  butcher  at  a  trifling  cost,  and  after 


78 

being  chopped  fine,  mixed  with  the  soft  feed.  The 
fowls  relish  it  fed  in  this  waj,  and  it  enables  all  to 
obtain  a  share,  which  they  would  not  be  likely  to  do 
if  it  were  fed  separately.  If  meat  is  first  boiled,  it 
will  be  all  the  better.  Chandlers'  scraps  are  also 
good,  but  should  first  be  cut  into  small  pieces  and 
thoroughly  soaked.  These  are  now  ground  fine  and 
offered  for  sale  in  that  form.  In  this  condition  they 
are  much  more  convenient  to  feed. 

Another  necessary  article  of  diet  is  a  plentiful  sup- 
ply of  green  food ;  this,  too,  should  be  furnished  daily. 
Most  vegetables  are  good  for  this  purpose,  and  may 
all  be  used  in  turn.  One,  however,  is  so  excellent  in 
its  effects  that  we  cannot  forbear  mentioning  it.  We 
refer  to  the  onion.  This  vegetable  is  of  a  highly 
stimulating  nature,  increases  the  production,  and  pre- 
serves the  health.  By  its  unlimited  use,  combined 
with  the  Douglass  mixture,  we  have  been  enabled  to 
keep  our  fowls  in  fine  health  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  very  rarely  have  a  sick  l^ird.  Any  quantity  may 
be  given  with  perfect  safety,  and  they  may  be  fed 
whole,  thus  saving  the  labor  of  chopping.  We  believe 
that  prevention  is  much  better  than  a  cure  in  any 
case ;  and  if  fowls  can,  by  any  reasonable  course  of 
care  or  feeding,  or  both  combined,  be  kept  in  a 
healthy  condition,  it  o]3viates  one  of  the  greatest  of 
known  evils  in  the  raising  of  poultry. 


79 

Lime  is  also  necessary,  since  it  is  requisite  in  the 
formation  of  egg-shells  and  bones.  The  most  conve 
nient  way  to  feed  this  is  in  the  form  of  broken  oyster 
and  clam-shells,  the  former  being  preferable.  Fresh 
bones  pounded,  or  burnt,  even,  are  always  good,  much 
better,  in  fact,  than  anything  of  the  kind  to  l^e  pur- 
chased in  market.  The  refuse  bones  should  be  util- 
ized in  that  way. 

Gravel  is  also  essential,  as  it  performs  the  same 
function  with  fowls  that  teeth  do  with  the  human 
race.  For  this  reason,  it  ought  to  be  given  both  regu- 
larly and  liberally,  when  the  fowls  are  so  confined 
that  they  cannot  obtain  it  for  themselves. 

Charcoal  should  occasionally  be  fed.  This  stimu- 
lates digestion  and  thereby  benefits  the  health  and 
increases  the  production.  It  is  best  fed  as  l^urnt  corn, 
or,  when  this  is  not  convenient,  any  charcoal  may  be 
powdered  and  mixed  with  soft  food.  Most  fowls  will 
eat  it  also  broken  into  small  pieces  and  mixed  with 
the  corn. 

Where  but  few  fowls  are  kept,  the  refuse  from  the 
table  will  in  great  part  supply  their  wants.  This  is  a 
far  more  valuable  food  than  is  usually  supposed.  If 
the  refuse  be  abundant,  it  will  cause  the  birds  to 
thrive  and  lay  better  than  any  other  food.  It  ought, 
however,  to  be  fed  while  fresh.  Remember  that  in 
feeding  fowls  tlie  main  things  are  regularity,  a  proper 
amount,  and  variety. 


80 

Milk  is  the  best  drink  that  can  be  furnished  fowls ; 
combining,  as  it  does,  at  once  drink  and  food  of  the 
most  nourishing  nature,  causing  the  birds  to  largely 
increase  their  productiveness.  This  may  be  given  to 
them  in  any  form,  and  either  sweet  or  sour.  It  is 
almost  the  only  article  that  can  be  so  given,  and  yet 
be  relished  by  the  fowls. 

If  it  is  not  convenient  to  obtain  milk,  water  cer- 
tainly may  be  had,  and  enough  of  it.  This  should  be 
furnished  freely,  in  a  perfectly  clean  and  fresh  state. 
In  the  winter,  it  should  be  slightly  warmed,  as  it  is 
thus  made  more  acceptable  to  the  fowls,  and  does  not 
freeze  as  quickly. 

If  it  is  not  given  regularly  and  in  sufficient  quantity, 
the  birds  will  eat  snow  or  drink  snow-water,  which 
checks  production,  renders  them  dull  and  stupid,  and 
chills  the  entire  system. 

The  vessels  in  which  food  and  drink  are  given  fowls 
should  be  kept  perfectly  clean  and  wholesome,  both 
because  they  will  relish  food  and  drink  much  better 
when  contained  in  such  vessels  and  also  because  it 
does  them  far  more  good. 


CAKE  OF  BREEDING-STOCK. 


Having  properly  mated  such  stock  as  is  desirable 
for  breeding  purposes,  the  next  step  is  to  give  them 
suitable  care  and  attention.  Not  the  same  food,  either 
in  quantity  or  quality,  should  be  given  as  is  proper  for 
laying-birds. 

The  object  now  sought  is  not  a  large  number  of 
eggs,  but  such  as  will  give  the  greatest  number  of  fine 
chicks.  For  this  reason,  care  must  be  taken  not  to 
feed  a  sufficient  quantity  to  over-fatten  the  fowls,  as 
otherwise  many  eggs  will  l^e  sterile.  Neither  should 
stimulating  food  be  given,  since  this  forces  the  pro- 
ductive powers,  and,  as  a  consequence,  gives  inferior 
progeny. 

The  first  laying  of  pullets  does  not  give  as  good  sat- 
isfaction as  the  second ;  but  with  hens  the  rule  is 
reversed. 

For  market  purposes,  the  chickens  ought  to  be 
hatched  in  March,  and,  with  suitable  quarters,  may  be 
to  advantage  in  February.  Tliis  applies  with  equal 
force  to  chickens  intended  for  the  show-pen. 

Those  intended  for  future  breeding-stock  should  be 
hatched  not  earlier  than  April  or  May,  since  their 
chances  of  developing  into  strong,  hardy  birds  will 
7 


82 

be  much  greater  than  if  hatched  before  ;  neither  will 
they  be  as  apt  to  lay  a  large  number  of  eggs  before 
the  time  for  mating  arrives,  and  so  enter  the  breeding- 
season  in  a  debilitated  condition. 

If  but  a  limited  number  of  pure-blooded  hens  are 
kept,  the  cock  should  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
breeding-pen  but  a  small  portion  of  each  day,  or  a 
sufficient  number  of  other  hens,  laying  an  egg  differ- 
ent in  color,  may  be  introduced.  This  is  perhaps 
the  better  plan. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  from  ten  to  twelve 
hens  may  be  given  to  a  vigorous,  agile  cock.  Care 
must  be  taken,  however,  to  observe  whether  he  pays  a 
proper  amount  of  attention  to  the  hens ;  too  much 
being  as  detrimental  as  not  enough. 

If  he  has  been  allowed  to  run  with  the  females  for 
some  time  previous  to  mating,  he  is  very  apt  to  have 
become  sluggish ;  in  which  case  strong,  hardy  chicks 
need  not  be  expected,  as  they  cannot  possibly  be  bred. 

The  eggs  should  be  plainly  marked  when  they  are 
taken  from  the  nest ;  as  the  exact  date  when  each  is 
laid  is  very  desirable,  to  say  the  least.  By  keeping 
such  a  record  upon  the  eggs  themselves,  one  avoids 
the  danger  of  setting  those  which  are  not  sufficiently 
fresh,  and  is  able  to  select,  as  far  as  possible,  those  laid 
upon  the  same  day.  This  is  an  advantage,  since  the 
age  of  eggs  makes  quite  a  difference  in  the  number  of 
days  required  for  hatching. 


83 


Eggs  are  good  for  setting  until  they  are  two  weeks 
old,  but  after  that,  they  are  constantly  losing  their 
life-giving  quality ;  although  they  will  frei^uently  do 
well  at  the  age  of  three  weeks. 


INCUBATION. 

The  successful  hatching  of  chickens  is  quite  diffi- 
cult, and  requires  care,  good  judgment,  and  careful 
attention  to  accomplish  it. 

If  possil^le.  a  separate  room  should  be  given  to  sit- 
ting hens,  where  they  mil  l)e  undisturbed.  If  they  are 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  same  room  with  the  layers, 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  prevent  their  being  disturbed 
by  the  laying  hens.  This  is  very  apt  to  result  in 
breaking  the  eggs,  and,  at  least,  will  force  the  attend- 
ant to  daily  remove  those  freshly  laid.  Only  the 
most  constant  care  will  insure  any  degree  of  success- 
ful hatching  in  a  room  devoted  to  both  laying  and 
sitting  fowls. 

The  nest  itself  should  be  about  fifteen  inches 
square,  and,  during  the  cold  season,  should  be  made 
warm.  We  have  found  that  broken  hay  or  straw  for 
the  bottom,  covered  with  feathers,  makes  a  very  good 
one.  Later  in  the  season,  however,  this  plan  should 
be  reversed,  and  a  piece  of  fresh  turf  hollowed  out 
into  a  concave  form  and  covered  with  broken  straw 
will  be  found  to  serve  every  purpose. 

The  nests  should  be  in  as  secluded  a  place  as  pos- 
sible, as  they  are  more  inclined  to  sit  steadily  if  per- 


85 

mitted  a  certain  amount  of  privacy.  It  is  far  better 
to  allow  each  hen  a  small  pen  by  herself  in  front  of 
her  nest.  In  this  pen  should  be  placed  food,  drink, 
and  the  dust-bath ;  which  last  is  of  especial  import- 
ance at  this  time. 

This  plan  may  be  followed  in  most  houses,  and  in 
all  except  those  where  the  quarters  are  very  restricted, 
since  it  requires  but  little  more  space  than  furnishing 
a  large  room  for  several  sitters.  This  prevents  the 
confusion  likely  to  result  from  changing  nests,  and 
does  away  with  the  confinement  necessary  where  the 
nests  all  open  into  one  room. 

Never  set  a  hen  or  pullet  that  will  leave  the  nest 
at  your  approach.  Such  hens  are  always  unsteady 
sitters,  and  are  liable  to  break  their  eggs  while  sitting. 
It  is  better  to  purchase  hens  of  some  ordinary  breed 
to  use  for  this  purpose  than  to  use  such  stock.  Un- 
der ordinary  circumstances,  however,  the  Plymouth 
Rock  is  a  fine  sitter  and  a  good  mother. 

During  the  early  season,  from  seven  to  nine  eggs 
only  should  be  given  each  sitter,  since  in  the  case  of 
a  larger  number  those  upon  the  outer  edge  would  be 
liable  to  become  chilled,  and,  as  their  position  is 
changed  daily,  all  in  turn  might  ]je  rendered  of  no 
value.  With  warm  weather,  however,  thirteen  may 
be  given  to  an  ordinarily  large  hen  with  perfect 
safety. 


S6 

These  should  always  be  placed  under  the  hen  in  the 
evening,  as  this  course  is  less  likely  to  frighten  the 
hen  and  cause  her  to  leave  the  nest.  Where  valuable 
eggs  are  to  be  used,  it  is  lietter  to  give  artificial  ones 
for  a  day  or  two,  or  until  the  hen  l)ecomes  reconciled 
to  her  new  quarters.  They  should  be  required  to 
leave  their  nests  daily,  in  order  that  the  eggs  may 
receive  a  supply  of  fresh  air,  without  which  very  few 
chickens  would  be  hatched,  and  those  weak  and  puny 
specimens. 

Seven  or  eight  days  after  setting,  the  eggs  should 
be  examined  with  reference  to  their  fertility.  The 
non-fertile  ones  should  be  removed  and  may  still  he 
used  as  food  for  young  chicks.  If  a  number  of  hens 
were  set  at  about  the  same  time,  which  is  advisable 
when  convenient,  the  fertile  eggs  may  now  be  placed 
under  a  part  of  the  hens  and  the  remainder  furnished 
with  fresh  ones.  In  this  manner  quite  a  saving  of 
time  is  made,  and  the  number  of  chicks  increased. 
The  fertility  of  the  eggs  may  be  determined  by  means 
of  an  egg-tester  (which  is  the  most  reliable) ,  or  look- 
ing through  them  at  the  light.  Those  that  are  fertile 
will  have  a  thick,  cloudy  appearance,  while  the  others 
will  not. 

Of  course,  both  hens  and  eggs  must  be  kept  free 
from  vermin  during  the  period  of  incubation.  This 
may  readily  be  done  by  means  of  sulphur  and  the 


dust-bath.  Sprinkle  sulphur  plentifully  through  the 
nest  and  a  little  upon  the  hen  before  setting ;  then 
provide  a  suitable  dust-l.iath  easy  of  access,  and  you 
will  seldom  be  troubled  with  vermin. 

Medium-sized  eggs,  and  those  that  are  smooth  and 
regular  in  shape,  are  the  only  ones  that  should  be 
used. 

A  good  supply  of  pure,  fresh  water,  and  whole 
grain,  corn  being  preferable,  must  be  given,  and 
should  be  so  placed  that  the  hen  may  be  able  to  eat 
and  drink  whenever  she  feels  so  disposed.  Soft  food 
at  this  time  would  (by  reason  of  its  quick  digestion) 
cause  the  hen  to  l^ecome  hungry  too  often,  and,  con- 
sequently, leave  her  nest.  Therefore,  it  should  not 
be  given. 

The  Plymouth  Rocks  are  gentle,  patient,  and  tract- 
able, and,  therefore,  better  results  follow  their  use  as 
sitters  than  fowls  of  many  other  breeds. 

In  warm  weather,  sprinkling  the  eggs  daily  with 
tepid  water  for  three  or  four  days  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  hatching  is  advisal)le.  While  hatching, 
the  hen  should  be  disturbed  as  little  as  possible,  sim- 
ply removing  the  broken  shells  and  allowing  nature 
to  take  its  course.  Chickens  helped  from  the  shell 
seldom  i>av  for  the  trouble- 


CAEE  OF  CHICKS. 


Chickens  should  not  be  disturbed  for  at  least 
twenty-four  hours  after  being  hatched,  neither  should 
any  food  be  given  them,  as  their  last  act  within  the 
shell  is  to  absorb  the  yelk  of  the  egg  into  the  abdo- 
men, and  that  will  furnish  a  sufficient  supply  of  food 
for  the  time  mentioned. "  If  the  hen  is  not  inclined  to 
remain  quiet  for  that  length  of  time,  feed  and  water 
her  on  the  nest. 

When  the  chicks  are  ready  to  leave  the  nest,  they, 
together  with  the  hen,  should  be  placed  in  a  perfectly 
clean  coop.  The  germs  of  disease,  as  well  as  vermin, 
cling  to  filthy,  uncleaned  ones.  This  proves  a  fruitful 
source  of  disease  among  otherwise  healthy  chicks, 
and  renders  the  proportionate  loss  much  greater  than 
it  need  be. 

Early  in  the  season,  this  coop  should  have  a  board 
bottom,  or  else  be  placed  in  a  warm  room  having  a 
sunny  exposure.  This  is  to  prevent  the  tender  chicks 
from  coming  in  contact  with  earth  that  is  cold,  or 
wet,  as  such  continued  contact  is  very  likely  to  pro- 
duce colds  and  rheumatism. 

If  they  are  allowed  a  warm  room,  or  one  so  shel- 
tered and  exposed  to  the  rays  of  the  sun  that  the 


89 

earth  is  dry  and  warm,  a  dirt  floor  is  much  more  con- 
genial to  their  nature,  and  will  cause  them  to  thrive 
better ;  but  under  no  circumstances  must  they  be 
exposed  to  cold  rains  or  chilling  winds. 

Remember  that  sudden  changes  in  temperature  and 
exposure  to  wet,  occasion  a  greater  loss  in  chicks  than 
all  other  causes  comljined,  and,  therefore,  should  be 
more  closely  guarded  against. 

Many  seem  to  think  that  chicks  may  be  crowded  into 
close,  ill-ventilated  coops,  while  the  adult  stock  require 
large,  roomy  quarters,  and  those  well  ventilated ;  at 
any  rate,  this  is  their  practice.  This  is  on  the  princi- 
ple that  a  young  and  delicate  child  requires  less  care 
and  attention  than  a  strong,  robust  man. 

The  absurdity  of  this  course  is  so  apparent  that  it 
only  needs  to  be  stated  to  be  perceived.  Give  the 
young  birds,  then,  suitable  accommodations  and  they 
will  amply  repay  you  for  the  extra  care  or  slight 
expense  this  course  entails. 

Of  course  chicks  do  better  with  as  much  liberty  as 
is  compatible  with  other  desirable  things,  and  it  is 
advisable,  therefore,  to  allow  them  this,  a  portion  of 
each  day,  when  it  is  warm,  dry,  and  sunny,  gradually 
increasing  the  length  of  time  allowed  them,  until,  in 
suita])le  weather,  they  are  given  their  entire  liberty. 

Many  fanciers  partially  rear  their  early  chicks  in  a 
room  having  a  fire  in  it ;  and  there  is  no  question  but 


90 

what  they  thrive  better  and  grow  faster  in  such  an 
atmosphere.  Where  these  are  to  be  sold  as  broilers, 
direct  from  the  warm  rooms,  this  plan  is  advan- 
tageous ;  but  the  danger  lies  in  the  necessarily  sudden 
change  of  temperature  when  the  artificial  heat  is 
removed. 

Without  greater  care  than  most  ordinary  breeders 
give,  a  far  greater  loss  would  occur  at  this  time  than 
the  extra  growth  would  compensate  for.  A  check  in 
growth  at  this  juncture,  or,  in  fact,  at  any  time  while 
chicks,  should  lie  avoided,  if  possible,  as  they  seldom 
recover  from  it. 

Later  in  the  season,  it  is  not  necessary  to  use  so 
great  care  in  regard  to  the  degree  of  warmth.  Dews 
and  rains  are  the  things  to  be  especially  avoided  then. 
If  the  down  upon  a  young  chick  Ijecomes  thoroughly 
saturated  with  moisture,  it  will  almost  certainly  cause 
death  or  render  it  of  little  value  ;  for,  even  if  it  lives, 
its  growth  will  be  checked,  and  it  will  become  delicate, 
a  most  undesirable  condition  for  a  Plymouth  Rock. 

When  they  have  a  grass  run,  therefore,  they  should 
be  closely  confined  in  the  morning,  until  the  dew  has 
disappeared,  and  always  in  rainy  weather. 

Wliere  there  is  a  good  range,  it  is  better  to  allow 
the  hen  her  liberty  in  pleasant  weather  when  the 
morning  dew  has  disappeared,  and  after  the  chicks 
are  about  two  weeks  old,  as  the  Plymouth  Rock  makes 


91 

a  good  mother,  being  attentive  to  the  wants  of  her 
brood,  and  a  very  active  forager. 

This  should  not  be  construed  to  mean  that  the  hen 
must  be  set  at  liberty  when  the  chicks  arrive  at  a  cer- 
tain age,  regardless  of  other  circumstances,  nor  that 
she  should  be  permitted  to  roam  from  early  morning 
until  late  at  night,  as  frequently  there  are  heavy  dews 
which  the  chicks  should  not  encounter. 

It  should  be  construed  to  mean  that  when  such  a 
course  is  in  harmony  with  other  requirements,  the  hen 
should  have  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  liberty, 
after  the  chicks  have  arrived  at  the  age  above  men- 
tioned. 


FOOD  FOR  CHICKS. 


The  best  food  for  chicks,  for  several  days  after  they 
are  hatched,  is  hard-boiled  eggs.  The  length  of  time 
that  these  should  be  fed  depends  somewhat  upon  the 
character  of  the  stock  you  wish  to  raise. 

For  standard  birds  they  should,  of  course,  be  fed 
longer  than  for  those  intended  for  market.  The 
same  is  true  of  most  kinds  of  expensive  feed.  You 
can  now  make  a  good  use  of  the  non-fertile  eggs 
taken  from  the  sitting  hens. 

Corn  meal  and  ground  oats  mixed  with  stale  bread 
soaked  in  milk  may  be  gradually  substituted  as  food 
in  the  place  of  the  eggs.  Wheat  middlings  mixed 
with  other  ground  grains  is  also  good  for  a  change. 

All  soft  food  should  either  be  scalded  or  be  wet 
with  milk,  and  allowed  to  stand  for  a  short  time 
before  feeding,  especially  when  scalded,  as  there  is  a 
tendency  with  all  ground  grains  to  swell  on  being 
moistened,  and  this  should  take  place  before  being 
introduced  into  the  chick's  crop.  It  is  always  better 
to  moisten  the  soft  food  with  milk,  since  nothing  con- 
tributes more  to  the  thrift  of  chicks  than  this  article 
of  diet.     For  this  reason   it  is "  a  good  plan  to  have 


93 

vessels  filled  with  milk  so  placed  that  the  young 
birds  may  drink  it  whenever  they  wish. 

The  early  broods  require  to  have  everything  they 
need  furnished  by  the  attendant,  and  therefore 
especial  care  should  be  taken  to  understand  just 
what  their  wants  are,  and  then  to  see  that  these  are 
properly  supplied. 

A  variety  of  food  is  always  Ijeneficial  to  fowls,  and 
at  no  period  more  so  than  when  young.  Their  nature 
also  demands  a  very  nourishing  diet,  since  they  are 
not  only  growing  rapidly,  but  fledging  also,  which  is 
a  severe  tax  upon  the  system.  Both,  taken  together, 
cause  the  chick  to  require  more  nutritious  food,  in 
proportion  to  size,  than  at  any  other  period  of  life. 

Being  small,  however,  they  can  partake  of  but  a 
small  amount  of  food  at  a  time,  and  therefore  should 
be  fed  often.  This  ought  to  be  at  least  every  two 
hours,  while  the  chicks  are  young,  gradually  increas- 
ing the  length  of  time  between  each  meal,  until  they 
are  fed  four  times  a  day.  Regularity,  both  in  the 
amount  of  food  and  time  for  feeding,  is  even  more 
essential  than  in  the  case  of  older  birds. 

Many  of  these  delicacies  are  not  needed  by  the  hen, 
and  consequently  it  is  well  to  have  an  outside  coop  so 
arranged  that  none  but  the  chicks  can  enter  it. 

Milk  or  clean  fresh  water  should  always  ]3e  kept 
within  their  reach,  but  too  much  of  either  should  not 

8 


94 

be  mixed  with  their  food,  as  too  wet  food  causes  them 
to  take  a  greater  amount  of  liquid  than  is  necessary, 
dikites  the  gastric  secretions,  and  deranges  the  system 
generally. 

Green  food  of  some  kind  must  be  furnished  until 
the  grass  has  sufficiently  started  for  them  to  obtain 
that.  For  this  purpose  the  fresh  sprouts  of  onions, 
or  the  onions  themselves,  together  with  cabbage 
leaves,  chopped  fine,  are  all  good.  These  may  be 
mixed  and  fed  with  their  soft  food.  Ground  bone 
should  occasionally  be  fed. 

As  soon  as  the  chicks  are  able  to  eat  it  readily  (say 
at  the  age  of  two  weeks),  cracked  corn  should  be 
given,  and  from  this  time  corn  in  some  form  should 
be  the  staple  food.  There  is  no  danger  of  over-fatten- 
ing chicks,  whatever  amount  of  food  be  given ;  but  no 
more  should  he  fed  them  than  they  ivill  eat  up  clean. 
It  is  apt  to  sour,  and  not  only  that,  but  the  chicks 
will  not  eat  it  as  readily  after  they  have  pecked  it 
over  and  left  it. 

If  any  be  left  by  them,  remove  it  at  once  and  give 
fresh  at  the  next  feeding. 

As  in  the  case  of  adult  fowls,  the  vessels  for  both 
food  and  drink  should  be  kept  perfectly  sweet  and 
wholesome  by  frequent  cleansing,  since  the  chicks 
will  not  eat  as  much,  nor  grow  as  fast,  if  the  vessels 
are  dirty  and  unfit  for  use,  and,  besides,  will  waste 
more  food. 


FATTENING  OP  FOWLS. 


At  the  age  of  three  months,  those  which  it  is  not 
desirable  to  keep,  either  for  breeding  or  for  later  fat- 
tening, may  be  sold  to  advantage  for  broiling,  and 
frequently  will  bring  more  than  if  kept  to  the  age  of 
six  months,  while  the  cost  of  food  is  saved  in  addi- 
tion. When  the  birds  are  late  in  hatching,  however, 
or  when  it  is  not  convenient  to  sell  for  broiling,  they 
must  be  marketed  later  in  the  season.  September,  or 
early  in  October,  is  the  best  time  for  this  purpose  in 
the  Eastern  States.  We  have  advocated  generous 
feed  from  the  shell,  and  if  our  advice  has  been  fol- 
lowed, the  fowls,  at  the  age  of  five  or  six  months,  are 
ready  for  home  use ;  but  for  market,  a  greater  weight 
is  desirable,  and  therefore  a  system  of  fattening  nnist 
be  resorted  to. 

Ten  days  or  two  weeks  are  sufficient  for  this  pur- 
pose. As  soon  as  the  fowl  has  reached  the  required 
degree  of  fatness,  it  must  be  disposed  of  at  once,  since 
it  will  lose  in  weight  from  this  time. 

The  fowls  should  be  placed  in  a  long,  narrow  coop, 
giving  them  but  little  more  than  standing-room,  as 
exercise  is  not  now  desired.  If  this  can  be  darkened, 
except  at  meal  time,  so  much  the  better. 


96 

Corn-meal,  mixed  with  milk,  should  be  the  staple 
food,  with  provender  for  a  change.  Green  food  and 
gravel  should  also  be  regularly  given. 

They  should  be  fed  at  least  three  times  a  day,  and, 
while  they  must  have  all  that  they  will  eat,  no  more 
tlian  that  should  be  given,  as  such  a  course  will  cloy 
them. 

Pure  water  should  be  easy  of  access  at  all  times. 
When  a  fowl  begins  to  neglect  its  food  and  be  dainty, 
the  sooner  it  is  disposed  of  the  better. 

The  cockerels  and  pullets  should  have  been  sepa- 
rated ere  this,  and  from  now  until  the  close  of  the 
year  should  receive  the  care  advised  for  adult  stock. 

Our  thanks  are  due  to  a  number  of  our  most  noted 
fanciers,  for  facts  furnished  us  during  the  preparation 
of  this  book.  These  facts  were  received  with  pleasure, 
and  the  weight  of  authority  has  been  the  rule  in  deter- 
mining any  point.  Our  thanks  are  also  due  to  H.  H. 
Stoddard,  Esq.,  for  the  use  of  his  cut  of  Modern  Ply- 
mouth Rocks. 


